Dislocation of the knee - a condition of the joint in which the bones forming it occupy the wrong position, but their integrity is not violated. Bones of the knee joint are connected by ligaments (fibrous connective tissue).
Knee dislocation is a fairly common pathology that traumatologists encounter. The etiology of dislocations is associated with dystrophic and inflammatory processes in the joints. Also, dislocations result from bumps and falls. Dislocations of a traumatic nature occur most frequently and make up about three percent of all skeleton injuries.
In traumatology, dislocations are usually divided into several groups: closed, open, fresh (no more than three days old), stale - up to three weeks, chronic - more than three weeks. Dislocation of the knee, which cannot be eliminated by classical methods, is called irreparable. Irreversible dislocations are often accompanied by pinching of the ligaments, tendons, and joint capsule in the joint. As a rule, dislocations in the block joints (ankle, knee, ulnar) are always accompanied by a rupture of the ligaments. Sometimes there is a rupture of the ligaments in the places of their attachment to the bone, as well as hemorrhages in the joints and surrounding tissue.
Knee Dislocation: Clinical Signs
A marker indicator in this situation is severe pain in the joint. In some cases, tactile sensitivity is lost below the knee. In the area of the damaged joint, edema is formed. As a rule, the pulse in the limb below the site of damage is not felt. If you find such symptoms (knee deformation, severe swelling and pain, a feeling of coldness in the leg and numbness), you should consult a doctor. The list of laboratory and instrumental examinations (arteriography, radiography, ultrasound, neurological examinations) depends on how your knee looks and how you feel.
Knee joint: treatment and care
Such injuries require inpatient treatment. It should be noted that almost all dislocations of the knee joint require surgical intervention, since damage to large arteries is recorded in 20-30%. To alleviate pain and reduce edema will help ice attached to the site of damage. The injured limb must be examined by a doctor, if necessary, he will set the joint. If your joints are damaged, the treatment should be adequate, and, importantly, effective. Conservative treatment methods include reduction of the patella, treatment of hemarthrosis and hematomas. Analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed.
To restore the functions of the knee joint, several techniques are used: restoration of ligaments, immobilization, relocation (reduction of dislocation, when the doctor returns the damaged joint to its place). Almost always a knee dislocation is accompanied by damage to the ligamentous apparatus, sometimes bones in the area of the knee joint are also damaged. Often, surgical intervention is required to restore knee function. After an injury, you must consult an orthopedic surgeon.
The knee joint should be fixed, for some time you have to walk on crutches. When walking, you cannot lean on your leg. To fix (immobilize) the knee joint, use an immobilizer or tires. Immobilization protects the joint from excessive movements, which, in turn, contributes to the rapid restoration of soft tissues. In the postoperative period, to restore muscle tone, it is necessary to undergo a course of vitamin therapy, physiotherapy, medical gymnastics and massage. The early rehabilitation period is carried out in a gentle manner and lasts about a month. Within four months after a knee injury, doctors recommend doing therapeutic exercises.