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Suggest Treatment For Frequent Knee Dislocstion
Question: hello,
i dislocated my left knee about 6 weeks ago. the initial injury happened while squatting on a steep hill doing gardening work (embarrassing but true). a fall 2 days prior had probably destabilized the knee before the dislocation.
when i first dislocated it (6 weeks ago) i had an xray & mri, showing no meniscus rips but signs of a 'zerrung' (=german, in english it would be a pulled muscle or tendon) on the left outer side. i've been going to physiotherapy since then (massage and some strengthening exercises).
about 3 weeks ago (just when i felt my knee was improving) i managed to minimally reinjure my knee while standing up from sitting on the floor. within the last 3 weeks i've had improvement again and in the last few days was even able to start riding a stationary bike without problem (using only very easy gears - i used to be a cyclist, so i can do this carefully). and i still have physiotherapy 1-2 per week, so i felt i was making real progress.
BUT last night my knee dislocated again - while i was asleep! i drew my leg up into a bent position (i was laying on my back with my knee pointing towards the ceiling and heel almost to my buttocks) and was awakened by the feeling / knowledge that my knee was again dislocated. it at first felt 'blocked' in this bent position, but i pressed a bit on the side of my knee and could slowly straighten my leg. when it was almost straight there was quite a bit of resistance and then a sudden, loud 'POP' noise (my knee felt strange but there was no real pain). immediately after this i also passed out / lost consciousness for just a second or so.
this feels very frustrating, because i have been in general very careful and felt my knee was building strength and stability. could it be that i now dislocated so easily because the internal swelling had been going down, making everything inside 'more loose'? does this sound 'normal' for this type of injury?
should i now wear a knee brace at night? the brace i have is a compression brace meant to be worn during periods of heightened activity - can i wear this brace all night or should i get a different / less tight brace for night usage? does it sound like i need to have my mri work redone to look for additional damage? today my knee feels much less stable than before (and a bit swollen), and i have been wearing my brace much of the day (taking it off when i can sit for awhile).
thank you for reading my account and for any advice you might have for me! tomorrow i will have my next physiotherapy appointment and can also ask my therapist what steps i should take next. but i'm happy to have as much input about my situation as possible.
kind regards, XXXXXXX
i dislocated my left knee about 6 weeks ago. the initial injury happened while squatting on a steep hill doing gardening work (embarrassing but true). a fall 2 days prior had probably destabilized the knee before the dislocation.
when i first dislocated it (6 weeks ago) i had an xray & mri, showing no meniscus rips but signs of a 'zerrung' (=german, in english it would be a pulled muscle or tendon) on the left outer side. i've been going to physiotherapy since then (massage and some strengthening exercises).
about 3 weeks ago (just when i felt my knee was improving) i managed to minimally reinjure my knee while standing up from sitting on the floor. within the last 3 weeks i've had improvement again and in the last few days was even able to start riding a stationary bike without problem (using only very easy gears - i used to be a cyclist, so i can do this carefully). and i still have physiotherapy 1-2 per week, so i felt i was making real progress.
BUT last night my knee dislocated again - while i was asleep! i drew my leg up into a bent position (i was laying on my back with my knee pointing towards the ceiling and heel almost to my buttocks) and was awakened by the feeling / knowledge that my knee was again dislocated. it at first felt 'blocked' in this bent position, but i pressed a bit on the side of my knee and could slowly straighten my leg. when it was almost straight there was quite a bit of resistance and then a sudden, loud 'POP' noise (my knee felt strange but there was no real pain). immediately after this i also passed out / lost consciousness for just a second or so.
this feels very frustrating, because i have been in general very careful and felt my knee was building strength and stability. could it be that i now dislocated so easily because the internal swelling had been going down, making everything inside 'more loose'? does this sound 'normal' for this type of injury?
should i now wear a knee brace at night? the brace i have is a compression brace meant to be worn during periods of heightened activity - can i wear this brace all night or should i get a different / less tight brace for night usage? does it sound like i need to have my mri work redone to look for additional damage? today my knee feels much less stable than before (and a bit swollen), and i have been wearing my brace much of the day (taking it off when i can sit for awhile).
thank you for reading my account and for any advice you might have for me! tomorrow i will have my next physiotherapy appointment and can also ask my therapist what steps i should take next. but i'm happy to have as much input about my situation as possible.
kind regards, XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Knee joint subluxation may have occured
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for posting
I have gone through your query carefully and understand your concern. It is unusual to have dislocation while sitting in squatting position without much of force application.
How was your knee prior to 6 week old dislocation? What did the MRI report said about 'cruciate ligament' a major ligament holding the two bones (femur and tibia) together?
It is uncommon behaviour for a 6 week old dislocated knee that was showing progressive improvement day by day to get dislocate again while asleep. In your recent dislocation while sleeping, how much was the pain?
There are certain conditions which may predispose to dislocation like convulsion, do you have that?
The recent dislocation as mentioned by you might be a ‘subluxation’ that is short of dislocation. To prevent recurrence you may wear brace at night time. If you are comfortable with your present compression belt at night then you may continue with it.
You suffered a recent subluxation/dislocation because the tissue (ligament/capsule) holding the knee joint have not healed properly. A fresh MRI may be done after few weeks time if there is no further improvement or situation gets worse.
Hope this helps and I shall be glad to answer any further query.
Take care
Knee joint subluxation may have occured
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for posting
I have gone through your query carefully and understand your concern. It is unusual to have dislocation while sitting in squatting position without much of force application.
How was your knee prior to 6 week old dislocation? What did the MRI report said about 'cruciate ligament' a major ligament holding the two bones (femur and tibia) together?
It is uncommon behaviour for a 6 week old dislocated knee that was showing progressive improvement day by day to get dislocate again while asleep. In your recent dislocation while sleeping, how much was the pain?
There are certain conditions which may predispose to dislocation like convulsion, do you have that?
The recent dislocation as mentioned by you might be a ‘subluxation’ that is short of dislocation. To prevent recurrence you may wear brace at night time. If you are comfortable with your present compression belt at night then you may continue with it.
You suffered a recent subluxation/dislocation because the tissue (ligament/capsule) holding the knee joint have not healed properly. A fresh MRI may be done after few weeks time if there is no further improvement or situation gets worse.
Hope this helps and I shall be glad to answer any further query.
Take care
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
Dr. Mukesh Chugh
Orthopaedic Surgeon, Joint Replacement
Practicing since :1997
Answered : 1619 Questions
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