A neurologist has named the symptoms of a dislocated patella

neurologist, director of medical service, chief physician of Lago-Naki health resort

“Knee joints are one of the most complex joints in the body and are subject to various diseases and injuries, which should be treated without delay. One of them is a dislocation of the patella, the so-called “kneecap”.

The oval-shaped patella is located at the front of the joint and performs an important function in protecting the musculo-ligamentous apparatus.

It acts like a shield that covers the joint cavity and cartilage. The ligaments attached to the patella provide stability and support, including the attachment of the quadriceps femoris muscle, the tibialis muscle and the patella’s own ligament. The quadriceps muscle plays an important role in limb movement, as it is primarily responsible for knee extension.

Pathological displacement of the patella, which is accompanied by unpleasant painful sensations, is called a dislocation. Given the serious role of the patella, the damage caused by a dislocation can lead to limited mobility of the joint and in any case affects the surrounding tissues.

Patellar dislocation can be congenital or traumatic. Congenital is caused by a genetically determined weakness of connective tissue – connective tissue dysplasia. Congenital dislocation is quite rare and is usually detected in early childhood.

Traumatic dislocation of the patella, as the name suggests, is caused by acute trauma: a fall on the knee, a blow to the knee joint or a sudden extension of the knee joint. At the time of injury, there is a sharp pain in the knee joint, intensifying at the slightest attempt to bend or straighten the leg or lean on it.

Very quickly swelling increases in the knee joint area, often showing massive bruising, which can spread below and above the knee joint area. Mobility of the patella is absent or severely limited due to pain.

If injuries to the joint occur regularly, dislocations are called habitual dislocations. For example, if the patella is periodically displaced from its normal anatomical location, this would be considered a habitual dislocation.

Dislocations are also categorized by how old they are: they are divided into acute and seasoned, or fresh, non-fresh, and seasoned.

Fresh. Fresh, as is clear from the name, is considered a sprain that occurred no more than three days ago, not fresh – if from the moment of injury has passed from three days to three weeks, to stale are sprains that occurred more than three weeks ago.

Stale. Mature dislocations in most cases cannot be repaired with a closed method and are generally more difficult to treat than fresh dislocations.

Normally, when the leg is fully extended, there is natural mobility of the patella – it can easily be moved up and down and to the sides. When the patella is dislocated, however, this natural mobility is absent or severely limited due to pain. In this case, the knee joint is slightly bent and enlarged in volume, looks puffy and swollen.

Often with dislocations, active movements are impossible: a person feels sharp pain. Passive movements may be limited and painful. In fact, with an acute traumatic dislocation, any attempts to move the leg will be uncomfortable. Although a person can often move around, it is difficult to do so: the normal supporting function is impaired.

If you suspect a dislocation of the patella, you should immediately go to a trauma center for specialized medical care.

The exact diagnosis of mild dislocations can only be made after a comprehensive examination. Medium dislocations are characterized by more pronounced symptoms and require medical intervention. Severe dislocations require urgent treatment and may require surgical intervention.

Remember that it is impossible to try to correct the patella on your own or ignore the damage, it is fraught with a transition to chronic or habitual dislocation of the patella.

A patella dislocation is a more serious condition that requires careful medical attention and appropriate treatment.

Recovery from a dislocation can take a long time and involves physical therapy, rehabilitation, and strengthening the muscles around the knee. Early medical attention and proper treatment can help prevent complications and restore joint function.