Recurrent patellar dislocation in childhood often require surgical stabilization, but the effects on cartilage quality after surgery is unknown. 17 patients were examined with T2 and dGEMRIC ≥5 years after surgery. dGEMRIC was shorter centrally, whereas T2 was longer most medially in the patellar cartilage of the operated patella (p<0.05). The short dGEMRIC indicates loss of glycosaminoglycans in the patella of the operated knee. Longer T2 may be an early sign of joint pathology. These findings may indicate an imbalance in the synthesis of matrix molecules, a sign of early cartilage degeneration.
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