Congenital Dislocation of the Knee

• Presentation
  • Spectrum of dislocated, subluxed & recurvatum
  • May be associated with breech or pathologic entity such as Larsen syndrome or arthrogryposis
• Treatment
  • Isolated cases are treated with splinting in flexion
  • Failed cases can be treated with an open procedure prior to age 2
  • If associated with a syndrome then open procedure required
    • Lengthen quadriceps
    • Retinacular release

Reviewed by Professor Phong Tran, Head of Orthopaedic Surgery, Western Health. Last updated 10 October 2026.