You may be one of the many people who’ve recently undergone medical treatment for a dislocated kneecap – or maybe you’re searching for an emergency room in Waco because you suspect that you may have just injured your kneecap and you’re wondering if it’s dislocated. Either way, the following material might be helpful in your pursuit of additional information.
What to Look For: The Signs and Symptoms of a Dislocated Kneecap
Otherwise known as a dislocated patella, this type of injury causes a significant amount of pain and visual irregularity of the kneecap. One of the most noteworthy signs of the upset is that the kneecap will always dislocate to the outside portion of the joint – making it very visually obvious. Other things to look for include:
- An audible popping noise
- A painful sensation accompanying the popping noise
- An inability to straighten the joint
- A visual deformity at the joint
What an ER in Waco Wants You to Know
Many people will confuse a kneecap dislocation with a knee dislocation. It’s important to distinguish between the two. A knee dislocation is caused when the thigh bone and shin bone lose contact with each other; whereas a kneecap dislocation is caused when the kneecap dislodges from the groove that structurally holds it in place on the thigh bone.
How an Emergency Room Near 76710 Can Help
One of the most important treatments in a kneecap dislocation is to reposition the kneecap back into its anatomically correct location. Although this may seem like a pretty simple process, there can often be a significant amount of pain association with the relocation. As such, many patients request either local or general anesthesia to manage the pain during the relocation procedure.
Rehabilitation is Critical
After the joint has been re-positioned, patients will be encouraged to follow the R.I.C.E. method of at-home care – Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation – to control swelling and minimize pain. Depending on the extent of the injury, it might also be recommended that certain patients use crutches or other forms of walking assistance if they’re engaged in an active lifestyle. And last, bracing of the kneecap with an elastic-type bandage will be encouraged as well as possible physical therapy.
