Diagnosis and Treatment for Patella Dislocation in Children
Your child may have had a patella dislocation if they have ever felt a sudden popping in their knee followed by very painful burning. This happens when the groove in the kneecap moves out of place. Most of the time, it's because of a crash, a fall, or a misstep.
A dislocated patella makes it hard for a child to walk, but it is easy to treat and sometimes gets better on its own. This article will talk about different ways to treat and prevent patella dislocation in children.
What Is the Definition of a Patella (kneecap) Dislocation?
Patella dislocation is when the kneecap (patella) comes out of its groove in the knee joint. The femur, the tibia, and the patella all meet in the center of the knee joint.
The majority of the time, the kneecap moves in a groove formed by the lower end of the thigh bone and the top of the shinbone (the trochlear groove). A bundle of tendons and ligaments that move when the knee bends hold the patella in place.
When patella dislocation occurs, the kneecap disengages from the groove in the trochlea and becomes immobile. This causes the knee to become rigid and stress on the ligaments results in repeated ruptures. The majority of the time, our knee cap protrudes to the left (93 percent of the time).
The most frequent knee injury is a patellar dislocation. It can be brought on by a hit or a rapid spin and twist. As with any other dislocation, it causes pain and makes movement difficult if left untreated. Occasionally, a displaced kneecap will realign on its own.
Types of Patella Dislocation
Patella dislocation is a condition where the kneecap (patella) slips out of its normal position. This can happen when the knee is bent or extended too far. Patella dislocation can be painful and may cause swelling, bruising, and difficulty moving the knee.
There are two main types of patella dislocation:
Traction: This type of patella dislocation occurs when the kneecap is pulled out of place by a force that is pulling on the leg, such as when someone falls while skiing.
Valgus: This type of patella dislocation occurs when the kneecap is pushed out of place by a force that is pushing on the side of the knee, such as when someone is hit from the side in a football game.
The Difference Between Patella Dislocation and Patella Subluxation
Some people think that a subluxation of the kneecap is the same as a dislocation of the kneecap. There are two kinds of knee injuries: kneecap dislocations and kneecap subluxations. When the kneecap moves out of place and then back into place, this is called a patella dislocation. This can happen if you trip and fall or if you twist your knee the wrong way. When the kneecap moves out of place and doesn't go back to where it should be, this is called a patella subluxation. If your muscles or ligaments aren't strong enough, this can happen. A patellar subluxation could be caused by damage to a joint or general looseness (patella instability).
If you have patella subluxation, you might need to see a doctor to put your kneecap back in place.
The kneecap can hurt if it moves out of place or slips out of place. When your kneecap moves, you might hear a pop. Your knees may hurt a lot. Your knee might swell up, which would make it hard to move. You should see a doctor right away if your patella is out of place. If you have patella subluxation, you might be able to put your kneecap back in place on your own. If you aren't sure, you should talk to a doctor.
The Difference Between a Patella Dislocation and a Knee Dislocation
Patella dislocation is when the kneecap moves out of place. The femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone), which are two more bones that make up the knee joint, can get hurt when the knee is out of place. When the knee is dislocated, the tibia and femur are no longer connected at the knee joint.
One of the bones has changed its position in relation to the other. Dislocated knees (tibiofemoral displacement) are more serious than dislocated kneecaps because it takes more work to move the leg bones out of place and damage the ligaments.
What Factors Lead to the Patella Dislocation?
Patella dislocation occurs when force is delivered to the knee, whether from a direct blow or the body's own weight. A significant fall or injury may displace the kneecap. This is not necessarily a challenging thing to execute. Knee injuries can be caused by even the simplest of movements, such as a sudden pivot that twists the knee.
In patellar instability, the tendons and ligaments that maintain the kneecap in place are already weakened. This could be due to a past injury or a preexisting anatomical condition. A displaced kneecap will have greater mobility than a stable kneecap.
Who Is Affected by Patella Dislocation?
Trauma can cause patella dislocation for anyone. Athletes who play sports with a lot of impacts are especially at risk. Dancing is all about making quick turns. Teenagers' bones and ligaments get weaker as time goes on. Women's knees have to deal with more side-to-side stress because their hips are wider and their ligaments are not as strong.
Doctors don't know what causes congenital patella dislocation, but the fact that it happens more often in families suggests a genetic link. It may also be related to Larson Syndrome, Arthrogryposis, Diastrophic Dysplasia, Nail-Patella Syndrome, Down Syndrome, and Ellis-Van Creveld Syndrome.
The Signs and Symptoms of a Dislocated Patella
Symptoms and indicators of a dislocated knee are popping sounds. The knee buckles. extreme discomfort. Rapid enlargement develops knee bruises and a visibly displaced kneecap.
Congenital patellar dislocation is present in infants (trochlear dysplasia). Typically, but not always, it is accompanied by other developmental problems.
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