Typical symptoms of patellar dislocation | Patellar luxation

Typical symptoms of patellar dislocation

The symptoms of a patella dislocation (dislocation of the patella) are usually so typical that they allow the trained physician to diagnose the gaze. However, it must be remembered that very often, especially when the patella has slipped out of its position for the first time in an accident, it spontaneously slides back into its slide bearing (self-reposition). It is therefore important that a thorough anamnesis (systematic medical examination) is taken if there is a suspicion that a patella dislocation has occurred, even if the corresponding symptoms no longer exist at present.

In most cases, a patellar dislocation ruptures the internal ligamentous and retaining apparatus, which is why the patella usually slips outwards beyond its intended sliding path. Various indications point to a patellar dislocation: Due to the pain and joint effusion, mobility in the knee joint is severely restricted or even impossible. Apart from these acute symptoms, a patellar dislocation can lead to various accompanying symptoms and complications:

  • Typically, the knee looks very deformed, the kneecap is no longer in its original slide bearing but further out.
  • Consequently, there is severe pain in the knee joint. Particularly when pressure is applied, the parts of the inner edge of the kneecap hurt most of all because the ligaments have torn off here.
  • Bleeding may also occur due to the torn ligaments. These bleedings into the knee joint become visible by a knee joint effusion with an accompanying swelling of the joint, which develops relatively quickly after the traumatic event.
  • Often, an injury not only damages the kneecap itself, but also other structures, which can lead to bone fractures or chipping of cartilage or bone fragments, for example.
  • If a patellar dislocation remains undetected or untreated, it often leads to further damage to the patella and/or the thigh over time, which can lead to the development of arthrosis in the long term.
  • In addition, such an initial event can cause the kneecap to become unstable in the long run and therefore to jump out of its position again and again, even without a direct trigger.
  • Thigh (femoral condyle)
  • Knee-cap sliding bearing (femoro-patellar joint)
  • Outwardly dislocated patella (kneecap)