Patella Dislocation
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer. The kneecap is an important structure in preserving the integrity and function of the knee. When the kneecap, also known as the patella, is dislocated, this can pose problems for the patient.
What is a Patella Dislocation?
The knee is a hinge joint that functions to support the rest of the body while also providing mobility. It represents the union of the femur, tibia, and fibula. This union is protected by the kneecap, called the patella. If the kneecap is moved from its anatomically proper location, this is termed a patella dislocation. Furthermore, it is not unusual to see a patella dislocation associated with a bone fracture.
Mechanism of Injury
A patella dislocation is a traumatic injury which can develop in many different ways. Some people dislocate their kneecap when they land awkwardly on a step or dislocate it playing sports. A patella dislocation is also seen commonly in an auto accident. Some individuals dislocate their kneecap on a wet pool deck, such as in a slip and fall injury.
Treatment of a Patella Dislocation
While some people may think that the first step is to pop the kneecap back into place, the treatment is not that simple. The first step is to address the patient’s pain and immobilize the knee to prevent further injury. After this, physicians will image the kneecap to ensure that reducing the dislocation will not damage other structures. Only after these steps are finished will the dislocation be reduced.
Complications can Happen
There are many complications and comorbidities that can occur; however, the most common is the risk for a future dislocation due to damage to surrounding cartilage that holds the kneecap in place.
Ancillary Structures are in Play
Without a doubt, the most notable structures at risk with this injury are the cruciate ligaments (ACL plus PCL) as well as the collateral ligaments (MCL plus LCL). Any injuries to these ligaments completely changes the prognosis and treatment decisions.
Differential Diagnosis
The differential diagnosis of a patella dislocation is quite long. Some of the most notable injuries include:
- A femur fracture
- Patella tendon damage
- Tibia fracture
- Fibula fracture
- Medial or lateral meniscus injury
- A tear in the ACL, MCL, LCL, or PCL
Injury Prognosis
The prognosis of this injury depends on how many times the patella has been dislocated in the past. If this is the first dislocation, the prognosis is quite favorable. Multiple dislocations pose a serious problem for the future.
Surgery is Rare
This dislocation rarely requires surgery to fix; however, surgery is needed if imaging demonstrates ligament tears that must be fixed. A tear in the ACL, MCL, or others will need an operation to repair and replace.
Contact an Experienced Patella Dislocation Attorney
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer. A patella or kneecap dislocation can be serious and anyone who have suffered this kind of injury should reach out to me at (916) 921-6400 for friendly, free advice. I have a toll-free line which non-local callers may use at: (800) 404-5400.
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Image Attribution: reprinted using the 3.0 License of the CC BY SA, found originally on Wikimedia Commons
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