Conditions & Diagnoses: A-Z

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Dislocation of the Knee

Definition:
Displacement of the knee; specifically disturbance or disarrangement of the normal relation of the bones entering into the formation of a joint.
Symptoms:
  • Knee appears to be deformed
  • Knee is bent and cannot straighten
  • Kneecap (patella) dislocates to the outside of the knee
  • Knee pain and tenderness
  • Knee swelling
  • "Sloppy" kneecap -- you can move the kneecap too much from right to left
Causes:
  • Sudden change in direction when your leg is planted
  • Direct blow to knee
Treatment:
  • Period of immobilization
  • Progress to ROM and stretching exercises
  • Core stabilization exercises
  • Lower extremity strengthening exercises