Patella dislocation often occurs as a result of a sudden change in direction of the leg when stepping on the ground. Learn more in this article.
Patella dislocation occurs when the knee bone is forced out of place. It can occur from a fall, a direct blow to the knee, or a twisting or twisting of the knee.
Often Patellar dislocation occurs toward the outside of the leg. It is more likely to occur during a sporting activity.
The patella is a small bone covered with cartilage and triangular in shape. It is located in the front of the knee and over it the quadriceps tendon and the patellar ligament are inserted.
What are the causes of patella dislocation?
Patella dislocation often occurs as a result of a sudden change in direction of the leg when stepping on the ground. However, it can also occur when there is a direct injury to the knee.
It is almost always due to some abnormality or biomechanical characteristic that predisposes the person to this happening in conditions of minimum energy.
When the dislocation of the patella occurs, the joint loses stability and you may fall. Also, you will feel intense pain and will not be able to bend your knee. The displacement is visible to the naked eye and the knee appears deformed.
However, if the patella dislocation is caused by direct trauma, all fasteners may break, including the joint capsule.
Factors That Increase Your Risk of Patella Dislocation
There are a number of factors that increase the risk of having a kneecap dislocation. These include being tall, being overweight, or having previously suffered another kneecap dislocation or other injury to the knee.
In addition, the physical characteristics that increase the risk of suffering a kneecap dislocation must be taken into account, such as:
- Patella Alta: Having the patellar tendon insert too high on the tibia can cause the quadriceps to dislocate the patella.
- Kneeling valgus: having the legs in an X shape increases the angle that the quadriceps forms with the patellar tendon, favoring the displacement of the patella.
- Lateralized patellar tendon insertion.
- Medial patella-femoral ligament rupture: this ligament joins the patella to the femur from the inside. It prevents the kneecap from popping out when the knee is extended, which is when dislocation occurs in most cases.
Diagnosis and symptoms
To diagnose a patella dislocation, the doctor will feel the patella and bend the knee, moving it in different directions. Using X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging(MRI), or computed tomography(CT), images of a dislocated kneecap and any other knee injury can be seen.
On the other hand, when you suffer a kneecap dislocation, the following symptoms usually appear:
- Swelling and deformed knee.
- Inability to bend the knee or bear weight on the leg.
- Patella displaced towards the outside of the knee.
- Tenderness and pain.
- Patellar hypermobility.
- Injury to cartilage, increasing the risk of developing osteoarthritis.
How to alleviate the symptoms?
To alleviate the symptoms produced by a kneecap dislocation it is recommended:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: The use of these drugs helps reduce inflammation and pain. They should always be taken according to the guidelines indicated by your doctor.
- Apply ice: Ice helps decrease inflammation and pain as well as prevent tissue damage. Place it on the knee following the guideline given by the specialist.
- Keep your leg elevated: Try to raise your knee above the level of your heart as often as possible. In this way, you help reduce pain and inflammation.
- Physical therapy: Your physical therapist will teach you exercises to improve knee movement. Through exercises you strengthen the knee, increase stability and relieve pain.
conclusion
In some cases, patella dislocation cannot be prevented, especially if physical factors make you more susceptible to it. However, exercise with proper techniques and try to keep your knee strong and flexible.