Kneecap dislocation / Patella luxation
Rehab training for the injury
Rehab 1 – Rehab 2 – Rehab 3 – Rehab 4
Description of kneecap dislocation
Kneecap dislocation / Patella luxation may occur as a result of severe trauma to a normal kneecap, e.g. during a football game. Only a slight trauma, even indirectly is necessary to induce knee luxate if the kneecap is undeveloped or the back of the kneecap is too flat. The kneecap dislocation takes place towards the outside on the knee, when the athlete changes direction of movement while stretching the leg. It is therefore also possible that cartilage and bone fragments may be broken off and can remain loose inside the kneecap, which can cause fractures on the inner edge of the kneecap. This injury often affects young people between the ages of 14 to 18 and is uncommon over the age of 25. Sometimes it is combined with a meniscus or ligament / tendon injury and may at times be misdiagnosed as such. Luxation of the kneecap should be treated at hospital.
Symptoms
- Bleeding which causes severe swelling of the kneecap.
- Soreness especially on the inner edge of the kneecap.
- Reduced or no movement in the kneecap.
- Knee deformity.
- Luxation will show misalignment of the kneecap.
Examination
Examination is purely visual since the injury can be seen and is therefore simple to investigate. After examination you should be referred to a doctor / emergency room.
Treatment
As mentioned this type of injury is to be treated by a doctor, which means it is often seen in the acute phase, where the treatment thusly is; MCE and hospital treatment. It is vital that the patient or a therapist does not attempt to put the kneecap in place, as it may cause a serious chondromalacia patella (damage to the inside of the kneecap.) The kneecap must always be put back in place while using local anesthesia.
The doctor can put the kneecap in place (usually using local anesthesia) and will perform x-ray examination to determine whether the kneecap is in place. Arthroscopy may be necessary to assess the extent of the injury and potentially remove bone and cartilage fractures. Many have to wear a Donjoy knee brace or a cast for 4-6 weeks.
During the course of the injury you should give attention to training the rest of your body so you do not lose mobility, stability, or strength in general. Find out what you are able to do, and exercise at the level that suits you. Training the rest of the body accelerates the healing process of injury, both because of the increased nerve activity and because of the circulation. When the time is right, correct rehab as seen below will be initiated.
Social Medier