BACKGROUND: In review of the literature there is no standard treatment of acute- as well as recurrent dislocation of the patella. Most investigations are retrospective or not randomised. Approximately 1500 patients/year with the diagnosis luxatio patellae are seen in Danish hospitals. METHODS: Using a questionnaire we wished to find out how these patients were treated in Danish orthopaedic departments. RESULTS: We found that there was no consensus on the treatment of patellar dislocation. CONCLUSION: We concluded that there is a need for prospective randomised studies involving a large number of patients, with a long follow up time.