Empty Sunrise Sign: An Arthroscopic Finding in Recurrent Patellar Dislocation

We describe an arthroscopic finding we noted in recurrent patellar dislocation. Arthroscopic photos were evaluated from 50 knees with a history patellar dislocation and 100 control patients. We quantified the amount of patellar subluxation seen on a single arthroscopic view and coined it Empty Sunrise Sign if the patella did not overlap the trochlea. Empty Sunrise Sign was found in 82% of 50 cases with recurrent patellar dislocation and none of the 100 control cases. The finding was 100% specific for identifying a recurrent patellar dislocator. High interobserver agreement was noted. Empty Sunrise Sign suggests significant capsular laxity. This may need to be considered in the surgical treatment of recurrent patellar dislocation. [...] Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.Article in Thieme eJournals: Table of contents  |  Abstract  |  Full text

Source: Journal of Knee Surgery - December 13, 2018 Category: Orthopaedics Authors: Smith, Craig Otte, Jeffrey Steensen, Robert Tags: Original Article Source Type: research