Patellar Dislocation
The patella (kneecap) lies in the front of the knee joint. As the knee bends and straightens, the patella slides up and down along a vertical groove in the lower end of the femur (thighbone) called the patellofemoral or trochlear groove. The patella is kept in its groove primarily by the quadriceps muscle and the medial patellofemoral ligament. The quadriceps muscle is attached by its tendon to the upper part of the patella, and the medial patellofemoral ligament is located along the side of the patella, on the inside of the knee. Dislocation occurs when the patella fails to remain in the groove and moves horizontally, usually toward the outside of the knee.
Partial dislocation of the patella is called subluxation, and complete dislocation is referred to as luxation (or simply dislocation). Patellar dislocations are common in young athletes between 15 and 20 years of age. They are more common in females than males because their wider pelvis tends to cause the femur to be more at an angle, which creates a sideways pull on the patella.
YourOrthoSolution has some of the top orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine physicians in the country. Our caring team always goes that extra step to make you feel like part of our family. We are dedicated to getting you back to the things you love through a customized plan that fits only you. We have extensive experience specializing in treating patellar dislocations and want to help you start the healing process as quickly as possible to get you on the path to recovery.
Cause
There are several causes of patellar dislocation, including:
- A sudden twisting motion at the knee – this is the most common cause
- A direct blow to or fall onto the patella
- Weak or torn medial patellofemoral ligament
- Tripping or slipping
Symptoms
Several symptoms may occur with a patellar dislocation, most of which occur immediately, as soon as the patella dislocates. They include:
- Pain centered around the patella
- Swelling around the patella
- Feeling that the patella has shifted out of place
- Buckling or giving way of the knee
- A popping sound when the patella dislocates
- A knee that appears deformed
Treatment
If the patella does not slip back into its proper position on its own, seek immediate medical care. In the emergency room, the physician will apply pressure to the patella to move it back into the trochlear groove.
If the patella does return to its proper position on its own, it is still recommended that you see a doctor, as pain and other symptoms will continue to be present. Phone for an appointment with us here at YourOrthoSolution. We will perform a complete evaluation of the damage to your knee joint and surrounding tissues and create a customized treatment plan to get you back to the things you love.
Nonsurgical
Nonsurgical treatment is the main form of treatment for many people with patellar dislocation. It may include:
- Knee brace – this will stabilize the knee while it is healing.
- Crutches – these may be recommended for one to two weeks after the dislocation, to help keep weight off the knee. This can help reduce pain and may speed up the healing process.
- Physical therapy – once the knee has started to heal, exercises are typically begun to help the knee regain normal range of motion and to strengthen the quadriceps muscles (which may help keep the patella in place).
Surgical
When the patella dislocates, the surrounding tissues can become damaged. This often leaves the patella looser (more unstable) than it was before the initial dislocation, which increases the likelihood that a dislocation will occur again in the future. If nonsurgical treatments are unsuccessful in preventing recurrent dislocations or improving the stability of the patella, surgery may be the best option.
There are various types of surgery that can be performed, depending on the condition of the patella, trochlear groove, and surrounding tissues. Because the medial patellofemoral ligament plays an important role in maintaining the proper position of the patella and it is often damaged when the initial dislocation occurs, reconstruction of the ligament is commonly required.
Surgery for recurrent patellar dislocations is generally performed arthroscopically, using minimally invasive surgical techniques. YourOrthoSolution is always keeping you, the patient, in mind and looking for the least-invasive way to repair all injuries. By using a tiny camera and small surgical instruments inserted through small incisions, the surgery is accomplished with less trauma to the muscle and other tissues than during more invasive, “open” surgery. This results in less bleeding and scarring and leads to a quicker recovery.
Arthroscopic procedures are easily performed on an outpatient basis in a surgery center setting. There are many advantages to surgery centers, including better outcomes, lower infection rates, no overnight stay, lower costs, and the convenience that comes with a smaller, yet highly skilled, staff.
As with all of our procedures, the goal is to get you back to full strength and doing the activities you want to do. Our highly trained specialists will take into account several factors and create a customized treatment plan designed specially for you and your needs. By working with you and customizing the entire treatment and rehabilitation process, you will understand everything you want to know about your injury, giving you the best chance for a full recovery.
