The displacement of the patella is a rather rare occurrence in practical medicine and is caused in most cases by chronic pathologies or traumatic damage to the joint. Such symptoms are classified in medicine as dangerous damage that requires mandatory treatment. Therapy directly depends on the type and cause of the damage, as well as the presence of concomitant manifestations that can significantly complicate the diagnosis and subsequent course of treatment. A photo of kneecap displacement is presented.
At risk for this pathology are people who often lift weights, engage in heavy physical work, as well as professional athletes.
Pathology Factors
The displacement of the patella that occurred during trauma is complete and incomplete. With full movement of the cup is noted forward or backward due to a strong blow to the knee. Incomplete displacement of the calyx (patella) can be triggered by a sharp turn of the leg and slippage.
The most common causes of such ailments are:
- professional sports with high loads on the lower extremities;
- mechanical damage due to falling, bruising, accident;
- sprains and tears of the ligamentous apparatus;
- instability of joints in a chronic form, as well as their increased mobility.
- joint developmental abnormalities and excessive muscle weakness.
As a result of injury
As a rule, a displacement of the kneecap in a person that occurred as a result of an injury is accompanied by a rupture of the lateral ligaments. With its horizontal torsion type (turning the cup around its axis), a tendon damage is observed, which refers to the quadriceps muscle, and directly the ligament of the patella. In this case, there is a slight bulge on the side of the knee, and some flattening is noted in the anterior zone. In addition, there is a sharp pain and a significant restriction of movements.
When trying to independently repair the damage, the diagnosis is significantly complicated, especially when it comes to lateral displacements. The main causes of such dislocations are congenital pathologies, which include:
- hypermobility of the patella;
- valgus curvature of the joint;
- femoral hypoplasia;
- re-extension of the lower leg.
As a rule, in such patients in the future there is a habitual displacement, the symptoms of which differ little from the displacement of the patella of the innate type.
When diagnosing horizontal displacements, as well as the usual dislocation, mandatory surgical intervention is necessary, after which the patient needs a long rehabilitation period (up to six months).
Below we find out what are the symptoms of a displacement of the patella.
Characteristic symptoms
Patella are wide bony plates located inside the knee joint. The main function of the calyx is to protect the articular cartilage from various kinds of deformations and displacements.
The displacement of the patella is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- severe pain occurs in the affected area, which can be increasing and short-term;
- the knee joint begins to swell strongly and increases significantly in size;
- any movements, including reliance on an injured limb, are accompanied by acute pain;
- with a visual examination, you can observe the displacement of the patella, especially for the 2nd and 3rd stages of dislocation;
- passive leg movements are limited.
Depending on the stages of the disease
Symptoms of a kneecap displacement in humans can be divided into 3 stages of the disease:
- At the first stage, temporary painful sensations are observed, and the calyx of the knee is extremely mobile. At this stage, the patella can independently take the correct position.
- At the second stage of displacement during palpation, moderate pain is noted and a noticeable deformity of the patella is observed.
- The third stage is accompanied by severe pain, displacement (it can be noticed even visually) and limited movement.
In addition, in severe cases, complete or partial loss of limb sensitivity is possible. What else is the displacement of the patella in humans?
Congenital Displacement of the Patella
In certain cases, a congenital displacement of the patella is observed, however, this phenomenon is quite rare. The deformation in this case can be directed outward. There is a usual and bilateral displacement, which is accompanied by a number of pathological changes. Similar symptoms can also indicate systemic diseases that can affect all structures of the musculoskeletal system.
Abnormal mobility
It is characteristic that with a slight degree of displacement of the patella, the patient does not complain, but the knee remains abnormally mobile even with minor movements of the limb. With the middle stage of congenital pathologies, instability appears during walking and the kneecap is deployed outward. With a severe degree of congenital pathology, periodic blockages occur that prevent joint flexion. In this case, the patella is located in an unnatural position, and the tibia is abnormally deflected to the side. Regardless of the type of pathology, diagnosis in childhood is significantly difficult, since this problem can be determined only after the child begins to walk. Many are interested in what the displacement of the patella looks like. This can be seen in the photo.
Diagnostics
To confirm the traumatic damage to the calyx of the knee joint, it is necessary to carry out diagnostic procedures, which include:
- Roentgenography. This method is effective in the study of pain, as well as structural changes in the knee. X-ray diagnostics help to identify a variety of deformations, fractures with displacements, tears and damage to the ligamentous apparatus, cracks and dislocations. In addition, the picture clearly shows the change in the joints with arthritis, arthrosis, overgrowth of neoplasms, osteoporosis, etc.
- CT scan. With the help of CT, it is possible to diagnose the displacement of the patella and other injuries and pathologies of the knee joint at an early stage of development.
- Magnetic resonance imaging, which allows the most reliable diagnosis of displacements, bruises, tumors, fractures and changes in bone tissue of a degenerative nature.
- Joint puncture To conduct such a study, a sterile needle is inserted into the joint cavity (to collect biomaterial). The resulting tissue is subsequently examined, and experts conclude the origin of the displacement of the calyx of a non-traumatic genesis.
What to consider?
When performing diagnostic measures, the possibility of physical activity on the knee joint should be taken into account. Very often, a bias occurs during training, but with light injuries, professional athletes do not pay much attention to such phenomena, which in the future is fraught with complications. This is due to the fact that insignificant displacements of the patella, after which it independently returns to its place, require mandatory x-ray diagnostics. This helps assess the severity of the damage and the degree of medical intervention required.
Treatment
Usually, conservative methods are used in the treatment of kneecap displacements, and surgical intervention is recommended only in severe cases of pathology. If help was not provided in a timely manner, then numerous complications arise, in the worst case, it may be the complete removal of the patella.
Thus, the treatment of human kneecap displacement involves the implementation of such measures:
- Repositioning is a method of therapy for calyx displacements, which should be performed only by a professional specialist, since if improperly positioned, there is a high risk of serious complications. If a person has similar symptoms, but there is no possibility of receiving medical care, it is recommended that a fixative bandage or immobilization splint be applied to the knee area.
- Cold compress - with the help of cold, you can significantly reduce swelling and pain in the affected knee joint. The maximum result can be achieved exclusively at the initial stage of the displacement, but in 2-3 days after the injury, such a procedure will already be considered ineffective.
- Taking painkillers, which are prescribed to eliminate the main symptoms of patella displacement. Such medications can be Voltaren, Diclofenac, Spazgan, etc. In addition, it is possible to prescribe antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs to the patient.
- Dressings that have a therapeutic and analgesic effect, but they should be used only after the main course of therapy. Wearing bandages for a long time depends on the severity of the injury. In some cases, a walking stick or stroller may be required to move the patient.
Exercise therapy
In the process of rehabilitation, the patient is prescribed physiotherapy exercises, including a variety of static exercises. In addition, UHF, massage, laser therapy, magnetotherapy, electrophoresis using novocaine have a positive effect.
Surgery for the displacement of the patella
Surgical intervention on the joint with patellar displacement is performed by arthroscopy. This is a minimally invasive method of surgery that does not require cavity cuts on the skin, so the recovery period is much faster. The intervention is carried out as follows: several punctures are made in the skin through which doctors introduce an arthroscope and special tools. Arthroscope - a tube with a camera at the end that transmits the image to the screen. During the operation, the cup is mobilized. To do this, the surgeon dissects the ligament outside the patella.
After surgery, with a displacement of the patella of the knee joint, physiotherapeutic procedures are prescribed for quick recovery. The method of magnetotherapy and UHF contribute to the stimulation of muscle tissue and the normalization of blood circulation in the structures of the knee joint. With severe pain after surgery, electrophoresis is performed.
Rehabilitation period
In the recovery period after surgery, a physical training program is mandatory to maintain muscle tone and develop a knee joint. To restore the maximum amplitude of movements and adjust the work of muscle structures, therapeutic massage is prescribed.
The success of these measures depends on how a person fulfills the doctor’s instructions during the rehabilitation period. After a few months, spa treatment is recommended. A return to physical activity should occur gradually - this is a guarantee that the cup will recover quickly and the rehabilitation phase will pass without complications.
After surgery after 7-10 days you can walk on crutches. In the first 2-3 weeks, crutches are used without loads, which helps to restore the functionality of the diseased joint as quickly as possible.
Prevention
An important role is played by the prevention of kneecap displacement, especially in people who engage in professional sports. With regular physical training, the muscles become sturdy and strong, which significantly reduces the risk of injury.
In addition, physical activity must be distributed correctly, taking into account the general condition and age. You should give your feet rest, and for any changes in the knee joint, consult a doctor, since it is much easier to treat such pathologies in the initial stages. When the process is started, the displacement of the patella can become irreversible.
When all the recommendations of the doctor and the treatment are carried out adequately, the prognosis for recovery is quite favorable, but even after the restoration of the functionality of the knee joint, a long and regular x-ray examination is required, which can confirm the absence of an inflammatory and degenerative process.