Is it possible to dislocate your knee

For patellar dislocations resulting in a damaged ligament, we will most often reconstruct the damaged ligament patellofemoral ligament surgically using a donor tendon. If there is damage to the articular cartilage in the joint, we can treat it arthroscopically. Failure to address these issues may lead to a chronically unstable patella and potentially an arthritic knee. Rehabilitation following reconstruction of the patellofemoral ligament focuses on getting the patient fitter, faster, stronger with a primary emphasis on promoting proper tracking of the patella.

During the first month, emphasis is on healing of the repaired ligament while maintaining range of motion as allowed by the patient's surgeon on an individual basis. As patients progress through the program, specific lower extremity strength and stabilization activities are introduced.

In the final months of the rehab program, focus transitions to sports-specific training. Some people are chronically loose in the knee cap, often due to bony shapes such as a flat anterior femur trochlea in combination with tissue laxity stretchy tissues. In those cases, careful physical therapy and strengthening exercises focused on the muscles that guide the patella are prescribed first before any surgical procedure is undertaken. Getting back into your groove.

Mechanism of injury Patellar dislocation is usually caused by either a direct trauma to the knee e. Rapid response is required without exception to prevent serious and even devastating damage to the knee and lower extremity. If a knee dislocation has occurred, the joint will usually be repositioned upon arrival at the emergency room a procedure referred to as "reducing the joint".

Once reduced, the healthcare provider will carefully evaluate the surrounding tissues, nerves, and blood vessels. Because of the extreme nature of the injury, the surrounding ligaments will invariably be damaged. In almost every case, both the anterior cruciate ligament ACL and posterior cruciate ligament PCL will be torn or ruptured. In addition, the collateral ligaments , cartilage , and meniscus the membrane between the bone and cartilage may also experience damage.

X-rays or computed tomography CT scan would be used to evaluate the nature and position of the misaligned bones. Magnetic resonance imaging MRI —a technique far better at visualizing soft tissues—may be ordered to characterize the damage done to ligaments, cartilage, and tendons prior to surgery.

To evaluate vascular obstruction, your healthcare provider may order a CT angiogram in which an iodine-based dye is injected into a vein to map the blood flow. A Doppler ultrasound can also be used to assess arterial blood flow. Nerve damage, experienced in about 25 percent of knee dislocations, can be initially assessed with a physical exam to check for abnormal sensations numbness, radiating pain or the impairment of foot movement either internally inversion or externally eversion. In the early stages of treatment, the medical priority is to minimize any damage caused to the blood vessels or nerves.

When these issues have been addressed and stabilized, attention can be turned to the structural tissue damage. In almost all cases, surgery will be required, often to repair multiple ligament injuries, meniscus tears , and cartilage damage.

Arterial injuries may require the direct repair of the affected vessel with a synthetic patch, graft, or transplanted vein , an arterial bypass , or an embolectomy to remove a clot.

The surgery may be performed as an open operation using a scalpel and large incision or arthroscopically using a scope, tube-like instrument, and keyhole incisions. Nerve damage may require the expertise of a neurologic surgeon.

It is not uncommon, in fact, for a knee dislocation to require multiple surgeries. Efforts may also be made to restore lost cartilage with such advanced techniques as cartilage implantation or cartilage transfer. Joint malformation and infection are also possible. Adhering to an extensive physical therapy and rehabilitation program is considered essential to restoring near-normal to normal knee function.

Knee dislocation, while serious, is extremely rare, representing less than 0. Delayed treatment can lead to tissue atrophy, resulting in the shortening of severed ligaments. This not only makes repair difficult, but it can also end up severely restricting the range of motion of your knee.

Furthermore, waiting until morning to "see if things improve" can lead to extensive tissue death necrosis due to the restriction of blood flow. By the stage, the damage may be so severe as to require an above-the-knee amputation. To this end, any knee injury should be seen without delay if there is severe pain, swelling, redness, bleeding, or a restriction of movement.

Dealing with joint pain can cause major disruptions to your day. Sign up and learn how to better take care of your body. We also offer free MRI reviews to qualified patients who want a second opinion — contact us for more information. Bone fracture repair is a natural process — the human body has an incredible ability to regrow new bone after a break.

However, fractures must be placed in the optimal environment to ensure a proper and complete healing. Fracture treatment depends on the location, severity and type of fracture you sustain.

Some fractures can … Continued. A bulging disc is a common, age-related spine injury. The spine is made up of stacked vertebrae with spinal discs sitting between each one. The tough discs provide cushioning, support, and shock absorption and movement to the vertebrae. Each disc is made up of an outer ring annulus fibrosus and inner, jelly-like core nucleus pulposus.

It was scary, and you felt a little shaken up afterward, but you walked away from the scene unharmed and feeling fine. Bone spurs also called osteophytes are overgrowths of bone that form along bone edges — usually around joints. Bone spur development is an immune system response. When your body detects an area of damage or … Continued. What Should I Do Next? Will I Need Knee Surgery? Keep Reading