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Dec 19, 2018 · Regardless of the treatment type required, you’ll need rehabilitation, such as physical therapy, following a knee dislocation. Your specific rehab program will depend on how serious your injury is...
What is the procedure for knee dislocation?
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 doctor will carefully evaluate the surrounding tissues, nerves, and blood vessels.
What is a knee dislocation?
A knee dislocation is an uncommon but extremely serious injury in which the thigh bone (femur) and shin bone (tibia) lose contact with each other. A knee dislocation is different from a patellar dislocation in which only the kneecap is detached from its groove at the end of the femur. Terje Rakke / Getty Images.
How do you know if you have a dislocated knee?
Symptoms. The most common symptoms of knee dislocation are the visible swelling and deformity of the knee joint. The lower extremity will often look shortened and misaligned, and any movement of the joint will cause extreme pain. About half of all knee dislocations are repositioned prior to arrival at the hospital.
What causes a knee to dislocate?
Knee dislocations are often the result of a high-impact injury such as an automobile crash, severe fall, and sports injuries. A knee dislocation should not be confused with a subluxation, a partial dislocation in which the knee "gives out" due to a damaged ligament.
What happens to the anterior cruciate ligament?
In almost every case, both the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) will be torn or ruptured.
What is the medical priority in the early stages of a patient's treatment?
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.
3. Immobilize Dislocation
Immobilize leg above and below the injured knee. Cardboard, magazines, or other stiff material can be used as splints.
4. Follow Up
At the hospital, a doctor will realign the joint, perhaps under anesthesia, and assess how much the dislocation has damaged the bones and surrounding tissues and blood vessels.
What is the best treatment for knee pain?
Analgesics (such as acetaminophen), pain medications that do not have anti inflammatory properties, may also be prescribed in order to relieve severe pain. RICE. As a first response treatment to injury, an athlete will be advised to rest, ice, compress and elevate his or her kneecap. Reduction.
What is the best medication for inflammation?
Non-steroidal anti inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen or naproxen may be recommended or prescribed to address both the pain and inflammation. Analgesics (such as acetaminophen), pain medications that do not have anti inflammatory properties, may also be prescribed in order to relieve severe pain. RICE.
What causes a dislocated knee?
There are a few factors that increase the risk of dislocating a knee including: 1 Being obese, which puts excess stress on the stabilizing muscles and structures of the knee with movement. The knee bears forces of up to four times a person’s body weight with motion. As a result, even simple movements can cause low-energy knee dislocations in an obese person. 2 Having a previous knee injury that weakens or destabilizes the joint 3 Playing contact sports 4 Working at heights or otherwise being at risk of falls from heights
How to tell if your knee is dislocated?
The most common symptoms of a knee dislocation are: 1 Bruising, which can be extensive 2 Difficulty moving the knee and pain with any amount of movement 3 Inability to bear weight on the leg 4 Knee instability 5 Severe pain even at rest 6 Swelling, which can be quite significant
What are the ligaments in the knee?
The knee is a very stable joint. There are four main ligaments that stabilize the knee joint and hold the bones in position. The two collateral ligaments are on either side of the knee and control sideways movements. The two cruciate ligaments cross each other inside the knee joint. They control back and forth movements. An injury that tears these ligaments can result in the tibia and fibula dislocating. The type of dislocation depends on which ligaments tear. Doctors classify knee dislocations based on the position of the tibia in relation to the femur: 1 Anterior is the most common type. It usually involves hyperextension of the knee joint, which tears the PCL (posterior cruciate ligament). The tibia dislocates in front of the femur and knee joint. 2 Posterior is the second most common type. It typically occurs when there is blunt force to a flexed knee, such as hitting a car’s dashboard. This forces the tibia behind the femur and knee joint. There is a high risk of tearing the popliteal artery with this dislocation. The popliteal artery is a major leg artery that runs behind the knee. 3 Lateral dislocation occurs when the tibia moves outward in relation to the femur and knee joint. 4 Medial dislocation happens when the tibia moves inward in relation to the femur and knee joint. 5 Rotary dislocation results from twisting forces on the tibia.
Who is Sarah Lewis?
Sarah Lewis is a pharmacist and a medical writer with over 25 years of experience in various areas of pharmacy practice. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy degree from West Virginia University and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy. She completed Pharmacy Practice Residency training at the University of Pittsburgh/VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
A knee dislocation happens when an injury forces your thigh bone out of alignment with your shin bone. It may occur with other injuries. It can also cause torn ligaments in your knee or nerve damage.
Manage a knee dislocation
It may take weeks or months for your knee to heal. You will have to wait until you heal to return to your usual activity level. The following can help you manage your symptoms and prevent more injury while you heal:
Follow up with your doctor as directed
Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
How long does it take to recover from a knee dislocation?
Recovery from a knee dislocation can take a long time. You may need to rehab your knee for up to a year. You’ll recover faster if you stick to your doctor’s advice. Athletes who dislocate their knees may be able to return to their sports, but they might not be able to perform at the same level as before.
Why does my knee dislocate?
If it’s not something you were born with (congenital dislocation), knee dislocation happens as the result of serious trauma such as: Car accidents. If you bang your knee against a hard surface like your dashboard, the force of the blow may be strong enough to dislocate your knee. Sports injuries.
How to tell if you have a dislocated knee?
When you dislocate your knee, you may hear a popping sound. Common symptoms include: 1 It hurts a lot. Your knee is in so much pain that you can’t move or straighten it. 2 Your knee feels unstable. 3 It’s swollen and severely bruised. 4 Parts of the knee look like they’ve been knocked out of place. 5 You aren’t able to do activities or sports you normally do.
Can you tear ligaments in your knee?
It’s common to tear ligaments when you dislocate your knee. They’ll also note what your skin looks and feels like below your knee, all the way to your foot. Dislocating your knee may cause damage to nerves or blood vessels, which may change the color and temperature of your skin.
What happens if you dislocate your knee?
They’ll also note what your skin looks and feels like below your knee, all the way to your foot. Dislocating your knee may cause damage to nerves or blood vessels, which may change the color and temperature of your skin. This could affect blood flow or your sense of touch below the knee.
What to do if you have a broken knee?
While you wait, you’ll need to wear a splint, keep your leg raised, and put ice on the injury. Your surgeon may do arthroscopic knee surgery. This is done through small cuts made around your knee. You might need “open” surgery, with bigger cuts. The type you need depends on the damage to the rest of your knee.
What does an MRI show?
It can also show if there are broken bones from your accident. An MRI can show whether any of the ligaments or other soft tissues in the knee have been damaged. It can also help a surgeon prepare to rebuild your knee. An MRI or ultrasound also can show whether there’s nerve injury.
