EC Paediatrics

A high patella in otherwise normal children is quite common. When elevated, the patella no longer sits in the intertrochlear sulcus, but rests on a rounded portion of the distal femur, where it is potentially unstable, may sublux laterally and is frequently painful with vigorous activity.

Quadriceps strengthening exercises are usually an effective treatment.

Associated genu valgum predisposes to lateral patellar subluxation and warrants active management.

 Keywords: Patella Alta; Genu Valgum; Patellar Subluxation

1. Biedert RM. “Patella alta: When to correct and impact on other anatomic risk factors for patellofemoral instability”. Clinics in Sports Medicine 1 (2022): 65-76.