In a patient with a dislocated patella while the knee is flexed, the recommended management in the field is to keep the knee flexed and secure with padded board splints.

• A. Keep knee flexed and secure with padded board splints
• B. Gently straighten the knee and apply a padded board splint
• C. Secure the knee in a fully extended position
• D. Attempt to reduce the patella in the field

Answer: (A)

When a patellar dislocation is present with the knee in flexion, the safest field approach is to immobilize the leg in that position using a padded board splint. Keeping the knee flexed and securing it minimizes movement, protects surrounding soft tissues, and reduces pain during transport. Attempting to straighten or reduce the kneecap in the field can cause further injury to cartilage, ligaments, or blood vessels and is typically done later in a clinical setting under proper analgesia and imaging. Extending the knee in the field may worsen displacement and increase risk. So immobilizing in the current flexed position with padding and a splint is the recommended management.