Dislocated Kneecaps: What to Do When it Happens
What is a kneecap dislocation?
The kneecap, also known as the patella, is a triangular bone that forms part of the knee joint. The patella rests in a groove located at the end of the thighbone (femur). When you move your knee, the patella slides up and down within the groove and facilitates movement. As long as your patella is correctly placed in the groove, walking, running and moving about happens naturally.
But should a fall, or a hard blow to the knee happen during sports, the patella may slip out of place and get dislocated. It can be a partial or complete dislocation that is accompanied by pain and mobility issues.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms your child may experience will depend on the extent. Which the patella is dislocated, and the amount of damage sustained.
Here are some of the commonly experienced symptoms
- Pain, swelling and discomfort
- Popping sound as the patella dislocates
- A sensation that the patella has shifted
- Deformed or misshaped knee
- Inability to walk or straighten the knee
Who is at risk of a dislocate knee?
Almost 60 – 80% of kneecap injuries usually occur when performing a cutting/turning action while the foot is firmly planted on the ground. These can be common in children active in sports such as basketball, soccer, and rugby. Teenagers participating in gymnastics and dancing are also at high risk. A direct blow to the knee can also cause kneecap dislocation, though this happens less frequently.
Apart from these, inborn deformities of the thighbone, kneecap and ligamentous laxity can make your child more prone to this injury. It’s also common in children with a family history of knee instability. Unfortunately, such deformities cannot be corrected without surgery.
How is the condition diagnosed?
The doctor will first conduct a thorough medical history, to assess the mechanism of injury and symptoms your child is experiencing. Next, a physical examination is performed to check for the range of motion, swelling, and deformity if any. The doctor needs to assess if the patella is still dislocated or if the swelling has been reduced.
He will also order imaging tests such โปรโมชั่นพิเศษจาก UFABET สมัครตอนนี้ รับโบนัสทันที as X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans which will help in assessing the extent of injury. These will help decide on the treatment plan.
What are the treatment options?
The treatment options are guided by the extent of injury.
1. Immediate treatment
If you feel that your child’s knee is out of place, take your child immediately to the Urgent Care Centre (UCC). The doctor may return the kneecap to its proper place by a process called “Manipulation and Reduction”. Analgesia and sedation may be required in order for the doctor to perform this.
2. Non-surgical treatment
Non-surgical treatment options involve immobilisation by use of a knee brace and crutches, rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Physiotherapy and rehabilitation may also be suggested. The doctor may also prescribe medication in order to control the pain and swelling.
3. Surgical treatment
Surgery is required if the patella dislocates multiple times, continues to be unstable despite treatment, or if there’s evidence of bone injury. The type of surgery required is guided by the injury sustained as well as the root cause. Damaged tissue such as ligaments are repaired or reconstructed and the occasional bone procedure may be warranted. These can often be performed via a minimally invasive approach. Bony injuries are treated with a lower threshold for surgery as there’s an increased risk of arthritis setting in.