Patella partial dislocation?

[luthien]

Right so about a year ago (Jan 2018) I twisted my leg in a way that caused my right patella to dislocate, it relocated immediately. I had an xray to check for fractures - all clear. I had 3 sessions of physio to get my knee moving normally - discovered a small meniscus tear. My GP recommended to leave it alone and let it "heal". I was off sports for three weeks, then back into it slowly.

When I really push that point in my knee (towards the inside of the knee, lower part of the left of the right leg patella) it still hurts but doesn't stop me with everyday stuff and exercises, including pole fitness, bodyweight training and yoga. I am more cautious though.

Over the weekend however it sort of partially dislocated - didn't feel like a full one. It does ache today and definitely more so when pressure is applied. It hasn't swollen up, but I'm concerned, can the meniscus really heal? Could it be from the same weakness? What else can I do? Physio again? Shall I go back to my GP? Are follow up scans needed such as an MRI? Would referral to a specialist help? What sort of specialist?

I've never had any problems with my knees all my life, I'm an active, average build, 34 year old female.

Help!

[EOLHPC]

Sounds like a joint subluxation...i get these quite often due to hypermobility (my type is Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome aka EDS).

Here is info about joint subluxation on the EDS UK website...it includes advice on rehab after these partial dislocations:

ehlers-danlos.com/dislocati...

Here is a link to info on hypermobility

hypermobility.org/professio...

Take care XO Coco

[luthien in reply to EOLHPC]

Thanks,

Glad to know I'm not alone. The info will help, I shall have a read

[EOLHPC in reply to luthien]

You’re v welcome...i get these subluxes regularly - mainly to ankles, fingers, shoulders, sacroiliac joints...but not my knees so far...subluxes can be vvvv sore for a while, but the rehab recommended in the EDS website info helps me a lot. I’m older now (65) and finally have to wear various ortjotics much of the time to prevent subluxes (finger splints, lumbosacral brace etc). Good luck XO

[luthien in reply to EOLHPC]

Sounds like you're not doing too bad for your age

I asked my physio about it; aparantly it's because I lock and hyper extend my knees backwards when standing - so will be working on some strengthening and bent knees posture improvements.

[EOLHPC in reply to luthien]

Good news. Being able to hyperextend knees can be indications of some sort of hypermobility...and your physio’s advice is appropriate.

Thanks. I manage but my illnesses were early onset and are incurable (lupus & others)

[luthien in reply to EOLHPC]

Oh no

Same here with my endometriosis, so I know what you mean.

[leighleigh71]

Mine went like this when I was 16. I had physio, hydro, my patella just kept moving round to the back of my leg. I had an mri and ct scan and found out that my bones are domed. I have no grooves in them. I had a patella rhinoplasty where my patella is fixed with screws and pins. It has left my knee weak and riddled with arthritis. If you can build the muscles and ligaments up do so. Hope this helps.

[luthien in reply to leighleigh71]

Ah oh no

I asked my physio about it; apparently it's because I lock and hyper extend my knees backwards when standing - so will be working on some strengthening and bent knees posture improvements.

[annepam in reply to luthien]

I fell in my flat about 2 years ago and my left leg jacknifed under me. It has been very sore since then and feels as if something is pulling inside my kneecap,Recently I had it x-rayed, but because nothing is broken I have just been given stronger pain killers ! I also have a dropped foot on my left side, so between the two I have difficulty walking. Is there another investigation I could have on my knee ( I don't really want surgery, but i'd do anthing to make it better !!!)

[luthien in reply to annepam]

Ive been seeing a mobility / movement / injury physio, rather than a general one. Perhaps look something like that up?

[annepam in reply to luthien]

Thanks !

[johnsmith]

You need an MRI to determine if anything is torn. I had the joy of having a psychiatrist describe the problems with my knee as indicative of a personality disorder. An MRI scan of the knee showed a torn ligament.

As to fixing the problem I cannot comment. I live with my ligament tear. I just have to insure that I do walk in a way that puts forces along the centre of the knee.

Stretched ligament which is likely what you have as well will not support the knee properly. Hookes law says: that the strain in a solid is proportional to the applied stress within the elastic limit of that solid. Above the elastic limit the solid will deform and not return to its resting length.

You probably had a force to the patella ligaments greater than the elastic limit. I had my kneecap move from one side of the knee to the other as a result of an accident in karate. As I could walk afterwards the GP I had at the time never bothered to send me for an x-ray or physio. It was heavily bandaged for a weak or so. Karate was the physio.

See an Alexander technique teacher for posture advice and help.

[annepam in reply to johnsmith]

Thanks