Dislocated kneecap: Symptoms and treatments

We rely upon our knees for a lot of completely different actions. Most of the time, our knees are working nicely, so we don’t take into consideration them as we go about our day. But an harm like a dislocated kneecap is extraordinarily painful and makes it tough to stroll and even transfer your knee. A dislocated kneecap wants quick remedy.

The kneecap, also called the patella, sits on high of the knee. It protects your knee and helps the muscle mass, tendons and ligaments within the joint. A kneecap dislocation is a typical harm that happens when the kneecap slips out of its place. Read on to study extra in regards to the signs, causes and treatments for a dislocated kneecap.

What is kneecap (patella) dislocation?

The kneecap sits on high of the knee in a groove on high of the thighbone (trochlear groove), and it helps hold your knee supported. Your kneecap is held in place by tendons and ligaments within the knee joint. When you straighten and bend your knee, the kneecap strikes up and down within the groove.

A dislocated kneecap is often attributable to a sudden twist of the knee or an impression to the knee. When the kneecap is dislocated, it strikes out of the groove to a different a part of the knee, sometimes towards the skin of the knee. This locks the knee and places pressure on the encompassing ligaments, typically even tearing them.

There are two various kinds of dislocated kneecap accidents, together with acute dislocation and power dislocation.

Acute kneecap dislocation

If a dislocated kneecap comes on out of the blue after a selected harm or incident, you’re most likely coping with an acute kneecap dislocation. In these instances, you’ll most certainly know what precipitated the dislocated kneecap.

Acute kneecap dislocations are most frequently attributable to a direct impression to the knee or by a pointy pivot or twist. A heavy fall can even trigger a dislocated kneecap, however that’s much less widespread. Athletes who play soccer, hockey and different contact sports activities are at the next threat of a dislocated kneecap. Dancers, tennis gamers and different athletes who must rapidly pivot are additionally extra prone to develop an acute kneecap dislocation.

Chronic kneecap dislocation

Some folks expertise power patellar instability, a situation that causes the kneecap to frequently slip out of the groove. This could also be as a result of a stretched ligament or different power situations, and causes power kneecap dislocations. People with overly unfastened ligaments are additionally inclined. Chronic kneecap dislocations are extra frequent and aren’t associated to a selected trigger, like an acute kneecap dislocation.

Feeling like your knee is unstable or that your knee is buckling whilst you stroll are each indicators of power kneecap dislocation.

Kneecap subluxation

A kneecap subluxation (patellar subluxation) is just like a dislocated kneecap and happens when the kneecap partially strikes throughout the groove however doesn’t transfer utterly out of it. People with a kneecap subluxation can nonetheless stroll and transfer their knee, however the kneecap will probably really feel unstable and uncomfortable – it might additionally trigger a popping sound or swelling. Knee subluxation will be attributable to an harm or patellar instability.

Symptoms of a dislocated kneecap embrace popping, buckling and extra

There are many signs that may point out you will have a dislocated kneecap.

• A popping noise within the knee
• The kneecap is visually misplaced
• Intense ache within the knee
• Knee buckling
• Locking of the knee, restricted mobility
• Inability to stroll
• Sudden swelling across the knee
• Bruising across the knee

How is a dislocated kneecap identified?

Most of the time, a major care physician or an orthopedic specialist can diagnose a dislocated kneecap from a bodily examination. To get a full image of what’s happening along with your knee, your physician may advocate imaging assessments like an X-ray or MRI. That’s as a result of a dislocated kneecap can harm the cartilage within the knee and trigger torn ligaments.

If you suppose you could have a dislocated kneecap and want quick care, search for an orthopedic pressing care close to you.

Treatments for patella dislocation

A dislocated kneecap is a treatable situation that requires quick care. Most of the time, a physician will be capable of put the kneecap again into the groove manually. This will right the joint and make it potential to your physician to deal with lingering signs or points attributable to the harm.

Once the kneecap is again in place, your physician may advocate a brace or a splint to assist your joint whilst you absolutely heal. Home treatments like over-the-counter ache aid and relaxation, ice, compression and elevation (RICE) could also be beneficial to handle ache and swelling. In most instances, it may possibly take 6-8 weeks to totally get better from a kneecap dislocation. However, you’ll probably be capable of stroll on the injured knee after just a few days.

Physical remedy may additionally be beneficial to strengthen the muscle mass and ligaments across the knee as you heal. During bodily remedy, your therapist will information you thru exercises and stretches designed particularly to enhance your strength, mobility and flexibility.

In uncommon instances, surgical procedure is perhaps wanted to heal ligament tears or take away broken cartilage attributable to a kneecap dislocation. Your physician will discuss with you about what kind of surgical procedure they advocate and enable you to put together.

When to see a physician for a dislocated kneecap

If you suppose your kneecap is dislocated, go to an orthopedic pressing care as quickly as potential. The extra rapidly you obtain care, the earlier you’ll start your restoration.

At TRIA, our orthopedic pressing care is right here for you seven days every week. There’s no appointment wanted, simply select the situation most handy for you and stroll in.

Frequent asked questions (FAQs) about dislocated kneecaps