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Date issued: December 2022 

Review date: December 2024

Ref: A-546/NB/ED/Patella (kneecap) Dislocation

PDF:  Patella (kneecap) Dislocation final December 2022.pdf [pdf] 118KB

Symptoms

• Following patellar dislocation, pain and swelling are the immediate concerns

• Pain can be managed with elevation and regular pain killers

• Swelling can be helped with ice and anti-inflammatory medicines.

Bracing

• You may have been given a brace to alleviate the symptoms and crutches to allow you to take some of the weight of your leg for a short time.

Exercise

• It is essential to maintain the muscle contraction in your thigh on the first day after your dislocation

• For the muscles to work at their best, you may need to take pain relief and use ice to decrease the pain and swelling.

Ice

• Remember: ice can burn. Using a bag of ice or frozen peas, wrap them in a damp tea towel and apply to the area for 20 minutes, then remove.  Do not reapply the ice until the skin has returned to normal.  This can be repeated as frequently as you like.

Exercise

• Sit with your legs out straight out in front of you. If you have a brace on then remove it for the exercise.

• Using your other leg as a comparison, tense the thigh on your injured leg, you may feel the back of the knee press down.

• Often it is easier to put a small towel rolled up behind your knee to push into. Pull your foot up to stretch the back of the leg further. Keep your knee straight whilst you do this.

Repeat as often as comfortable, aim for 20 repetitions every 2 hours.

Please be Aware: it is very important that you see your doctor immediately if you notice that the calf becomes increasingly tender, red, and hot to touch        

DVT (deep vein thrombosis) is a rare complication following any injury which may limit your mobility. Symptoms to be aware of and to report include:

• throbbing or cramping pain in 1 leg (rarely both legs), usually in the calf or thigh

• swelling in 1 leg (rarely both legs)       

• warm skin around the painful area                                            

• red or darkened skin around the painful area                           

• swollen veins that are hard or sore when you touch them

Call 999 or attend the Emergency Department if you develop chest pain or breathlessness.