Primary Lateral Patellar Dislocation Associated with an Increased Sulcus Angle in an African Child: A Case Report of Synthetic Graft-Assisted Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction

Background and Clinical Significance: Patellar dislocation is considered uncommon in African populations, a finding often attributed to characteristically deeper femoral trochlear grooves that confer increased patellofemoral stability. Nevertheless, individual anatomical variations may predispose certain patients to instability despite population-based trends; Case Presentation: We report the case of a 12-year-old African pediatric patient who presented with a primary traumatic lateral patellar dislocation. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated rupture of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) and a markedly increased sulcus angle of 159°, consistent with a shallow trochlear groove. The patient underwent MPFL reconstruction using a synthetic ligament to minimize the risk of physeal injury; Conclusions: This case shows the importance of individualized anatomical assessment in pediatric patellar instability. Even in populations generally considered to have lower anatomical risk, marked individual variation in trochlear morphology may influence treatment decisions. When surgical stabilization is selected in skeletally immature patients, physeal-sparing techniques should be carefully considered.