Knee cap dislocation

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Arthroscopy

Patellar dislocation

Knee arthroscopy - series

Knee cap dislocation

Definition:

A dislocated knee cap is when the triangular bone covering the knee (patella) moves or slides out of place. The displacement usually occurs toward the outside of the leg. See dislocation.

Alternative Names:

Dislocation - knee cap; Patellar dislocation or instability

Considerations:

The doctor will conduct a physical examination, which could provide a visual confirmation of the dislocated knee cap. In addition, touching the knee cap during the examination would confirm that it moves abnormally.

A knee X-ray may be performed, confirming dislocation.

Causes:

Dislocated knee caps most often occur in women with certain anatomic features of the knee, which predispose them to this condition.

It is usually a result of sudden direction changes while running. This puts the knee under stress. Dislocation may also occur as a direct result of injury. When it is dislocated, the knee cap may slip sideways and around to the outside of the knee.

The first episode or first several episodes are accompanied by pain and inability to walk. If the condition causing dislocation is left uncorrected, repeat dislocations tend to cause less pain and less immediate disability. However, they remain just as damaging to the patellar/femoral joint.

Review Date: 8/3/2004
Reviewed By: Kevin B. Freedman, M.D., Section of Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, Loyola University Medical Center, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.