Patellar dislocation is one of the most common knee injuries, which causes a loss of stability for the person. This pathology is also known as chronic patellar instability, patellar instability or recurrent patellofemoral instability. In this post we tell you what patella dislocation consists of, what its symptoms are and its treatment.
What is the kneecap?
The kneecap is the largest sesamoid bone in the human body. It is located in the front part of the knee between the tibia and the femur.
This is the central connection point between the common quadriceps tendon and the patellar tendon.
Function of the kneecap
The patella is the bone structure that works in the flexion and extension movements of the knee. Another of the functions of the kneecap It consists of increasing the effectiveness of the quadriceps, since it is the support point of this muscle.
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Request diagnosisFurthermore, the patella is the bone that supports the friction of the patellar tendon and, on the other hand, provides stability to the patellofemoral joint.
What is patella dislocation?
Patella dislocation is the most common dislocation of the knee, so that an external dislocation of the kneecap appears. It mostly affects people between 14-17 years old, and frequently those who participate in sports.
What are the symptoms of patellar instability?
The symptoms of a patellar dislocation are pain that appears in the knee, that is, pain present below the kneecap. A hematoma may even appear in this joint.
As mentioned, patellar dislocation is also called patellar instability. Therefore, another of the most common symptoms in patients with a patellar dislocation is loss of stability.
Main causes of patella dislocation
The main cause of the appearance of patella dislocation It is usually a knee injury or the performance of certain unexpected movements of the kneecap, as well as incorrect positions of the same.
Another reason why a patellar luxation appears is due to the sudden change in direction of the leg when stepping on the ground.
Finally, the rupture of the Medial Patellofemoral Ligament It is another cause of patella dislocation. This ligament prevents the kneecap from moving outward when the knee is extended.
Diagnosis and treatment of patella dislocation
The diagnosis of a patella dislocation must be made by expert knee traumatologists. Using techniques such as x-rays or an MRI of the knee, the morphology of the patella is assessed and whether there is a dislocation of it.
At Clínica Elgeadi we have knee trauma experts so that they can study the degree of your patella pathology and offer you the most appropriate treatment for it.
Knee arthroscopy is one of the procedures for the treatment of knee injuries, so that it is accessed in a minimally invasive way, thus avoiding damage to the tissues found in it.
Recovery time for a patella dislocation
The time necessary for a complete recovery of the kneecap varies depending on the severity of the patient, as well as the patient's condition.
Therefore, rehabilitation treatments are recommended to achieve total stability of the knee.
Exercises for patella dislocation
To help improve and aggravate a patellar luxation, a series of exercises are recommended such as knee flexion-extension, so that both flexion and extension of the muscles near the knee are combined.
The static squat It is another of the exercises to perform when the patient has a patella dislocation, thus directing the work on the quadriceps, glutes and knee stabilizers.
Sport is one of the causes that causes a patella dislocation, so it is necessary to unload the muscles at the end of the sporting activity, hence helping to prevent the appearance of patella instability. In completely extreme cases, it will be necessary to perform surgical intervention through arthroscopy. Make an appointment at our trauma clinic in Madrid.
4 thoughts on “La luxación de rótula, una de las lesiones más frecuente de la rodilla”
The information offered by you has been very important and valuable... thank you very much and keep going!!!
Thank you very much Reymundo.
Greetings!
Hello, I have had several patellar dislocations (5) but the last time, two years ago, left me quite unstable. I was advised to strengthen myself, I have been doing the exercises for over a year, apart from playing sports, and I see that the vastus medialis does not increase, it seems to be atrophied. Despite following the guidelines indicated by the physiotherapist and traumatologist, I notice that my patella is loosening and slightly moving out of place in some movements, which creates a lot of insecurity for me, as well as being a very unpleasant sensation. How could I strengthen the vastus medialis? Is it normal that it does not increase?
Hi Nat,
Lack of response of the vastus medialis could be due to muscular imbalances or previous structural damage. Consult with a specialized physiotherapist to adjust your routine and consider therapies such as electrostimulation. We also recommend that you consult with an orthopedic surgeon to assess the need for additional interventions. You can make an appointment at our center by calling 91 005 39 00.
Greetings