Patella Dislocation Treatment Specialist in Leesburg, Lansdowne, and Stone Springs VA

If you have dislocated your patella, there are several symptoms that you may experience. One of the most common symptoms is severe pain in your knee. The pain is usually sudden and may be intense, making it difficult to bear weight on the affected leg. You may also notice swelling and tenderness in the area around your kneecap.

In addition to pain and swelling, you may also notice a visible deformity in your knee. Your kneecap may appear to be out of place or dislocated, which can be a sign of a serious injury. You may also notice that your leg looks different or feels different than your other leg, such as being shorter or misaligned.

Another symptom of a dislocated patella is difficulty or inability to move your leg or bend your knee. You may find it challenging to straighten your leg, and your knee may feel stiff and immobile. In some cases, you may also experience numbness or tingling in your leg or foot due to nerve damage caused by the dislocation.

A patella dislocation can be a serious injury that requires prompt medical attention. The patella is an important bone that protects the knee joint and helps support the leg during movement. When the patella is dislocated, it means that it has been forced out of its normal position, usually as a result of a sudden impact or twisting motion.

The seriousness of a patella dislocation depends on several factors, including the severity of the injury and the amount of damage to the surrounding tissues and structures. In some cases, a dislocated patella may be able to pop back into place on its own, but in other cases, the dislocation may require manual manipulation or surgery to correct.

A patella dislocation can cause long-term effects on the knee joint and surrounding structures. One of the most common long-term effects of patella dislocation is chronic knee pain, which can be caused by damage to the surrounding tissues, including tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. This pain can affect daily activities and limit mobility, making it difficult to engage in sports or exercise.

Another long-term effect of patella dislocation is knee instability. Dislocation can cause the kneecap to shift out of place, leading to a feeling of instability or weakness in the knee joint. This can increase the risk of future dislocations, making it important to address the underlying injury and strengthen the muscles surrounding the knee to help prevent future dislocations.

Additionally, patella dislocation can lead to the development of knee osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease that causes inflammation and damage to the joint cartilage. This can cause stiffness, pain, and limited mobility, and may require ongoing management and treatment to prevent further deterioration of the joint.

Whether surgery is necessary for a dislocated patella depends on several factors, including the severity of the injury, the frequency of dislocations, and the patient’s activity level. In some cases, nonsurgical treatment such as rest, immobilization, and physical therapy may be enough to help the patella return to its normal position and prevent future dislocations.

However, if the patella continues to dislocate or there is significant damage to the joint or surrounding tissues, surgery may be recommended to stabilize the patella and prevent further damage.

There are various surgical procedures that can be used to treat a dislocated patella, the specific type of surgery recommended will depend on the individual patient’s needs and the extent of the injury. In general, surgery is usually recommended for patients who experience recurrent dislocations, have significant damage to the joint or surrounding structures, or who have significant functional limitations as a result of their injury.

Patella dislocation treatment is available at the Orthopedic Group. We serve patients from Leesburg VA, Lansdowne VA, Stone Springs VA, Dulles, VA, Ashburn VA, Sterling VA, Aldie VA, South Riding VA, Herndon VA, Winchester VA, Reston VA, and Chantilly VA.