More About Your Injury
A kneecap can be knocked out of the groove when the knee is hit from the side.
A kneecap can also slide out of the groove during normal movement or when there is twisting motion or a sudden turn.
Kneecap subluxation or dislocation may occur more than once. The first few times it happens will be painful, and you will be unable to walk.
If subluxations continue to occur and are not treated, you may feel less pain when they happen. However, there may be more damage to your knee joint each time it happens.
Can You Walk After A Dislocated Patella
Sometimes your knee cap will go back into place on its own, but it may also need to be relocated by a medical professional. Once the patella is back into its groove, it is possible to walk on that leg, but people often report a popping or unstable feeling in their knee. It is recommended to see an orthopedic physician before returning to daily activities as other structures of the knee may be damaged. Most physicians typically recommend a period of a few days of non-weight bearing and a patellar brace to allow the inflammation to resolve and healing to begin.
How Is A Dislocated Kneecap Diagnosed
A dislocated kneecap can sometimes correct itself. However you should always seek urgent medical help even if it has gone back into position as a dislocation can cause damage to surrounding ligaments and tendons. If you are unable to walk you should call an ambulance.
You will be treated as a medical emergency. Your consultant will manipulate your kneecap back into place normally under anaesthetic. Once the kneecap is back in position you may be given an X-ray to check that the bones are correctly aligned and to rule out further damage.
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How Painful Is A Knee Dislocation
A knee dislocation can be a very painful injury. The knee is a complex joint that is made up of the femur , tibia , and patella . All of these bones are held together by strong ligaments. When the knee is dislocated, it means that one or more of these bones has been moved out of place. This can be a very painful injury, and it can take a long time to heal properly.
When the round-shaped bone covering the knee moves or slides out of place, the kneecap is displaced. It will become more difficult to treat this condition if it occurs on a regular basis. The condition can lead to cartilage injuries as well as an increased risk of osteoarthritis at a young age. If physical factors make it more likely to dislocate your knee, knee dislocations may not be preventable. When exercising or playing sports, use the proper techniques to maintain the strength and flexibility of your knees. The University of Delaware at A.D.A.M. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American HealthCare Commission.
Why Does It Feel Like My Knee Is Popping Out Of Place
This type of popping symptom is often a sign of a meniscus tear or a loose piece of cartilage within the joint. 1 These are tissues inside the knee that help cushion and protect the joint. The torn meniscus or loose cartilage may catch in the knee as it moves back and forth. This causes a popping sensation.
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Can You Walk With A Dislocated Patella
No. The knee will either be locked and unable to straighten or bend, or it will catch and pop when you try to bend it. The joint will be unstable and buckle when you try to bear weight on it. It will also be painful to move it. If you can walk, you may only have a patella subluxation.
If your dislocated patella pops back into place, you may be able to walk afterward. But the knee will still be swollen and painful from the trauma. You shouldn’t try to walk if its too painful. Always see your healthcare provider anyway to check for any secondary injuries. Theyll likely recommend crutches and a brace when you begin to walk again.
Symptoms Of A Knee Dislocation
Intense pain is an immediate symptom of a dislocated patella . Your knee is also likely to be swollen, and the kneecap will look displaced. You may be unable to walk or move the knee after dislocating the knee.
Knee dislocations in some people will pop back in place on their own but will still be painful and swollen.
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Who Does Patella Dislocation Affect
Anyone can dislocate their patella through injury. However, certain people are more at risk, including:
- Athletes, especially in high-impact sports.
- Dancers, who are prone to quick pivots.
- Teenagers, whose joints and ligaments are looser from constant growth.
- Women, whose wider hips and looser ligaments put more lateral stress on the knee.
- Big and tall men, whose joints are under more pressure.
- People with patellar instability, especially if they have already dislocated their patella.
Doctors dont know what causes congenital patella dislocation, but a higher incidence among family members suggests a genetic link. Certain other congenital conditions are also associated with it, including:
- Larson Syndrome.
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How Serious Is A Patella Dislocation
A patella dislocation is a serious injury. It occurs when the patella, or kneecap, pops out of place. This can happen due to a fall, a direct blow to the knee, or sudden twisting motion. Patella dislocations are most common in young people aged 15-25 years old.
Patella dislocations can be very painful and may cause the knee to swell up. You may also have trouble moving your leg or bearing weight on it. In some cases, patella dislocations can damage the surrounding ligaments, nerves, or blood vessels.
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Recovery From Knee Cap Dislocation
If you experienced a mild dislocation that only requires stabilization and physical therapy, you may be ready to use your knee again within a few weeks. If you require surgery, you must go through a recovery period that includes stabilization and rest and physical therapy to rehabilitate your knee. Full recovery may take up to eight months.
If you have a painful, stiff, or dislocated knee, contact our office nearest you in Houston, Texas, or Baytown, Texas, to schedule a consultation today.
Can You Dislocate Your Knee Without Tearing Ligaments
Causes. Patellar dislocations can occur either in contact or non-contact situations. An athlete can dislocate his/her patella when the foot is planted and a rapid change of direction or twisting occurs. Usually a pre-existence ligamentous laxity is required to allow a dislocation to occur in this manner.
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How Long Will I Be On Crutches After Knee Dislocation
Expect 6 weeks on crutches with no further movement at all in the first six weeks. Following this period of time, you will begin to improve your movement and weight bearing. A typical recovery period ranges between four and six months before competition can begin.
If you have knee pain, you may suffer a significant loss of income. The most common and debilitating of these is knee dislocations. Your kneecap moves outside the grooves on your knee joint bones as a result. Following a dislocation, you must wear crutches for at least a day. After showering, apply ice packs to your knee for ten to fifteen minutes. Antihistamines, ibuprofen, and naproxen are common medications prescribed to patients with knee joint discomfort. If you exercise excessively before you are healed, you may further damage your knee.
Diagnosis Of Patellar Dislocation
A patella dislocation is diagnosed through a physical examination and medical history. Your doctor or health care provider will ask you how the injury occurred and whether youve had any previous patellar dislocations. They will also check for signs of patellar instability, such as swelling or tenderness around the knee joint. X-rays may be taken to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms, such as a fracture. In some cases, an MRI scan may be ordered to assess the damage to the ligaments and tendons around the knee joint.
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How Is Patella Dislocation Treated
Reduction: As long as the diagnosis is clear, a knowledgeable healthcare provider will manually relocate the kneecap as soon as possible. This is called a reduction. A patellar dislocation injury that occurs on the playing field can be reduced immediately by a trained healthcare provider if there is one on-site. If you go to the emergency room, they may give you sedatives and pain medication first. Theyll usually correct the joint first and then look at it on an X-ray.
Imaging: Healthcare providers will take imaging tests to see that the kneecap has been properly replaced and plan any additional treatment. X-rays and CT scans can help reveal any preexisting anatomical conditions that may have contributed to the dislocation, as well as any additional injuries. An MRI can give more detailed information on the cartilage and ligaments if its needed. Sometimes an MRI will reveal a previous transient dislocation that wasnt suspected before.
Surgery: If there is significant damage to the bone or to the cartilage and tendons of the knee, your healthcare provider may recommend surgery to repair it. Surgery may also be recommended if you have recurrent patellar dislocations or chronic patellar instability. Repairing and strengthening the cartilage and ligaments is a preventative measure to restabilize the knee. When patellar dislocation is congenital, the joint can only be repaired through surgery.
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Dislocated Kneecap Popped Back In
The kneecap, or patella, is a small bone that sits in front of the knee. The patella is connected to the thighbone by the quadriceps tendon. The quadriceps muscle is the large muscle in the front of the thigh that helps straighten the leg. The patella glides up and down in a groove as the leg bends and straightens. A dislocated kneecap occurs when the patella pops out of the trochlea and becomes displaced to the outside of the knee. This can happen if the leg is hit hard from the side or if the knee is bent backward forcefully. A dislocated kneecap is a very painful injury. If the kneecap is only partially dislocated, it may pop back into place on its own. If it is completely dislocated, it will need to be put back into place by a doctor. The knee will then be immobilized in a splint or cast for several weeks to allow the quadriceps tendon and ligaments to heal.
Subluxation or dislocation of the kneecap may occur multiple times. Subluxation may be less painful if it continues and is not treated. Your knee joint may suffer additional damage as a result of repeated occurrences. An orthopedic surgeon is the most common choice of health care provider. The muscles around your knees, hips, and thighs can be stretched and strengthened through a variety of exercises. Aceto acetaminophen, ibuprofen can help reduce pain and swelling caused by a variety of conditions. Following a patellar subluxation, you should consult with your doctor for aftercare.
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How To Heal A Popped Knee
A popped knee is a serious injury that can take a long time to heal. The knee is a complex joint that is made up of bones, ligaments, and tendons. When one of these components is damaged, it can take a long time for the knee to heal properly. In most cases, a popped knee will require surgery to repair the damage. After surgery, the knee will need to be immobilized in a cast or splint for several weeks. This will allow the knee to heal properly and prevent further damage. Physical therapy will also be necessary to help the knee heal properly and to regain strength and range of motion. The entire process can take several months, but with proper care and rehabilitation, most people make a full recovery.
Direct Trauma To The Knee
The direction of the trauma to the knee and the position that the leg is in when the knee is hit will determine which way the kneecap dislocates.
- From the inside or outside: Direct trauma to the inside of the knee will usually cause the kneecap to dislocate outward, while direct trauma to the outside of the knee may cause the kneecap to dislocate inward.
- From above or below: Trauma to the knee from above or below while the knee is bent can cause the kneecap to dislocate into the knee joint, which is a more serious form of a dislocated kneecap.
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How A Sports Medicine Specialist Treats Dislocated Kneecaps
Once Dr. Lintner diagnoses a dislocated kneecap, he customizes a treatment plan. If your dislocation is mild, and its the first one youve experienced, he may:
- Immobilize the knee with a brace for 3-4 weeks
- Give you crutches to take weight off the knee
- Assign you to a physical therapist to strengthen the knee
A first patellar dislocation puts you or your child at risk for subsequent dislocations. Approximately 20% of children and teens who dislocated a knee cap develop knee arthritis by the time theyre 20 years old. If Dr. Lintner believes your child is at risk for subsequent dislocations, he recommends a corrective procedure called patellar stabilization.
Depending on the reasons why the knee cap slid out of place, Dr. Lintner chooses from one of three types of stabilization procedures:
- Reconstruction or release of tight ligaments
- Realignment or reshaping of the patella
- Shaving or removing damaged bone or cartilage
Ideally, Dr. Lintner uses minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery to minimize trauma and speed up recovery time. Whichever technique he uses keeps the kneecap in its groove and minimizes the risk of future dislocations.
A Dislocated Kneecap Requires A Trip To The Hospital
If you have a dislocated kneecap, you should go to the hospital as soon as possible. After you have been discharged from the hospital, you will be given pain medication as well as a brace to wear at home. You will need to wear a knee brace in addition to your knee brace as you perform your daily activities.
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Key #1 Just Walk Normally
After 2-3 week of bracing its time to get stuck into restoring normal movement. The main priority in this stage, is to walk as normally as possible.
I find that if you can manage this early, your knee will loosen naturally, as its moving like it was designed to. Work on walking with your heel first, and bending the knee as you lift it to take a step.
I have two quick tips to help you with your walking pattern. Try walking backwards this helps to fire up your gluts and hamstrings, encouraging those big muscles to pull their weight.
Next, put some small objects on the ground about 1.5m apart, then as you walk forward, step over them. Step over firstly with your good leg, so your sore leg must bend at the knee to get over the object.
Your body will try to cheat by lifting your hip instead of bending the knee behind you, watch out for this!
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Tips For Quick Recovery After A Knee Dislocation
A knee dislocation isnt a common injury, but it is a serious one. If a knee dislocation does happen to you, its essential that you know how to quickly treat your injury and take the best steps to recovery.
What Is a Knee Dislocation?
Most knee dislocations occur as a result of major traumatic events like falls, car crashes, and other high-speed accidents. Athletes like soccer and football players are especially vulnerable to knee dislocation.
The knee dislocates when the bones are knocked out of place. Since the bones of the knee are held together by ligaments, a knee dislocation automatically causes a ligament tear as well.
Symptoms of a Dislocated Knee
The pain caused by knee dislocation makes the injury fairly obvious, but these following symptoms also confirm the injury:
- Severe swelling around the knee
- The leg will not straighten
- Kneecap is loose and can be moved and shifted easily
- Horizontal dislocation of the kneecap
- Numbness or no pulses in the foot
How to Recover From Your Dislocated Knee
It is very important to seek treatment for your knee dislocation immediately due to the widespread damage caused by this injury.
Your orthopedic doctor will evaluate your knee damage and determine how to best treat it. If the damage isnt too severe, your doctor will pop your bone back into place. You will need to wear a splint for a few weeks to ensure your knee can heal without moving or bearing weight. Youll use crutches or a wheelchair to get around.
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Types Of Knee Dislocation
A knee joint can be classified into five types: anterior, anterior, posterior, anterior, and lateral. Anterolateral, posteromedial, and posterolateral injuries are among the various types of Rotary Dislocations.
Inpatient episodes of knee dislocation are those that cause at least two of the four major ligaments to become damaged. The incidence of traumatic knee dislocations is extremely low, accounting for only 0.02% of all orthopaedic injuries. In the last few decades, minimally invasive techniques such as emergent closed reduction, neurovascular evaluation, and surgical reconstruction or repair have been the preferred treatment options. In a situation where hyperextension is common , the knee may reach 90 degrees. A lateral radiograph can show that the tibia is anterior to the femur and that the knee joints center of rotation is normal. The most important part of determining the cause of a knee epiphyseal fracture is determining the extent of hyperextending knee joints. Early treatment should result in a child walking at 100-110 degrees of knee flexion before the age of three.