Recurrent patellar dislocations in adolescents result in decreased knee flexion during the entire gait cycle

Purpose To evaluate the kinematics/kinetics of the ankle, knee, hip in the sagittal plane in adolescents with recurrent patellar dislocation in comparison to a healthy control. Methods Case–control study. Eighty-eight knees (67 patients) with recurrent patellar dislocation (mean age 14.8 years ± 2.8 SD) were compared to 54 healthy knees (27 individuals, 14.9 years ± 2.4 SD). Kinematics/kinetics of ankle, knee, hip, and pelvis were captured using 3D-gait analysis (VICON, 12 cameras, 200 Hz, Plug-in-Gait, two force plates). One cycle (100%) consisted of 51 data-points. The mean of six trials was computed. Results The loading-response increased by 0.02 s ± 0.01SE (10.8%) with dislocations (0.98% of total gait, P