Question - Dislocted knee (chronic patella dislocation)

by Joe
(Kuwait)

I have disloctated both my knees (patella) several times. I have been through physical therapy twice and just recently dislocated my left knee. An orthopedic told me back in 1986 that my knee caps do not sit in the right place.

Can you tell me what this is called and the long term fix for this problem.

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Question - Dislocted knee (chronic patella dislocation)

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Jul 10, 2008
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Trochlea dysplasia or patella femoral syndrome
by: Bart - SII

When the patella doesn't sit right in the joint, it is usually due to three possible things - either a shallow femoral groove (the track the patella is supposed to move up and down in), loose patella retinaculum or patella femoral ligament, or abnormal mechanics at the knee caused by weakness of the hips.

Since you have dislocated your patella on both sides multiple times, you most likely have looseness in the ligaments - this may be part of the problem. Surgery to tighten the ligaments down is one long term fix for this problem.

If you have a shallow groove(this is called trochlea dysplasia and can only be determined with x-rays), there isn't a lot that can be done to fix the groove, but sometimes a ligament tightening procedure can help.

And if you have abnormal mechanics that are causing the patella to sit in the wrong spot, then strengthening exercises and physical therapy that focuses on the hips and core is the key.

In fact, strengthening of the hips and core can help with all three of the above problems - I know you said that you have gone through physical therapy before - how much time did they spend strengthening your hips? This might be something that you talk with your doctor / clinician about as you recover from your most recent dislocation.

Hope this helps - comment back with other questions.

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Jul 10, 2008
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Submitted by: Bart - SII

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When the patella doesn't sit right in the joint, it is usually due to three possible things - either a shallow femoral groove (the track the patella is supposed to move up and down in), loose patella retinaculum or patella femoral ligament, or abnormal mechanics at the knee caused by weakness of the hips. Since you have dislocated your patella on both sides multiple times, you most likely have looseness in the ligaments - this may be part of the problem. Surgery to tighten the ligaments down is one long term fix for this problem. If you have a shallow groove(this is called trochlea dysplasia and can only be determined with x-rays), there isn't a lot that can be done to fix the groove, but sometimes a ligament tightening procedure can help. And if you have abnormal mechanics that are causing the patella to sit in the wrong spot, then strengthening exercises and physical therapy that focuses on the hips and core is the key. In fact, strengthening of the hips and core can help with all three of the above problems - I know you said that you have gone through physical therapy before - how much time did they spend strengthening your hips? This might be something that you talk with your doctor / clinician about as you recover from your most recent dislocation. Hope this helps - comment back with other questions.

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