Patella Dislocation

Our knee joint consists of the femur and tibia and on top of these structures we have our kneecap (our patella). The patella rests in an area on the femur called the trochlear groove and this creates the patellofemoral joint. This joint allows us to smoothly bend and straighten our knee because the patella can glide up and down within the trochlear groove. Patella dislocations occur when the patella moves out of the trochlear groove. This almost always occurs in a lateral direction (meaning the kneecap dislocates out towards the outside of the knee). Patella dislocations can occur as a result of contact or non contact injuries. Contact injuries usually involve a direct blow to the area causing the kneecap to dislocate. Noncontact injuries usually involve twisting and changing directions with a planted foot at a higher speed. This causes the patella to push out of the groove. When this happens there may be an immediate pain, swelling, an inability to put weight through the leg, and inability to bend or straighten the knee. After a period of rest the patella can be mobilized and will move back into the groove where it should be. If the kneecap dislocates once it is prone to happening again. This is why physical therapy is especially important. In physical therapy we mobilize the patella back where it should, restore losses of range of motion in the knee from the injury, and then we work on strengthening (especially the quadricep) as this muscle helps keep the patella in the groove so it is less likely to dislocate again. Patients with this injury tend to have excellent results in physical therapy. Please see photos below for examples of how treat patella dislocations in our clinic. If you would like to schedule an appointment please reach out to us.