Difference between revisions of "Patella dislocation"

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==Background==
 
==Background==
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*Occurs with trauma to an extended knee with externally rotated foot and twisting motion<ref>Review of Orthopaedics, 6th Edition, Mark D. Miller MD, Stephen R. Thompson MBBS MEd FRCSC, Jennifer Hart MPAS PA-C ATC, an imprint of Elsevier, Philadelphia, Copyright 2012</ref>
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*Typically occurs with trauma to an extended knee with externally rotated foot<ref>Review of Orthopaedics, 6th Edition, Mark D. Miller MD, Stephen R. Thompson MBBS MEd FRCSC, Jennifer Hart MPAS PA-C ATC, an imprint of Elsevier, Philadelphia, Copyright 2012</ref>
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*Acute: in traumatic injury, occurs equally in men/women <ref name="epi">Fithian DC, Paxton EW, Stone ML, Silva P, Davis DK, Elias DA, White LM. Epidemiology and natural history of acute patellar dislocation. AJSM 2004;32:1114-1121</ref>
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*Acute dislocation occurs with traumatic injury, M=F, may see hemarthrosis<ref name="epi">Fithian DC, Paxton EW, Stone ML, Silva P, Davis DK, Elias DA, White LM. Epidemiology and natural history of acute patellar dislocation. AJSM 2004;32:1114-1121</ref>
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*Chronic: women/teenage girls<ref name="epi"></ref>
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*Chronic dislocation seen more commonly in women/teenage girls, typically little or no swelling<ref name="epi"></ref>
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*Commonly lateral displacement and unable to extend knee
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*Common associated fractures
 +
**Medial patella facet
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**Lateral femoral condyle
  
 
==Clinical Features==
 
==Clinical Features==
 
[[File:Patellar dislocation.jpg|thumb|patella dislocates laterally]]
 
[[File:Patellar dislocation.jpg|thumb|patella dislocates laterally]]
 
*Patella is usually displaced laterally; knee is held in flexion
 
*Patella is usually displaced laterally; knee is held in flexion
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*Acute: often with large hemarthrosis
 
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*Chronic: little to no swelling
 
  
 
==Differential Diagnosis==
 
==Differential Diagnosis==
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==Evaluation==
 
==Evaluation==
 
[[File:Patellaluxation ap 001.png|thumb]]
 
[[File:Patellaluxation ap 001.png|thumb]]
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*Xray if traumatic mechanism to rule out fracture
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*Clinical diagnosis
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*Do not need xay prior to reduction if chronic
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*May consider pre-reduction x-ray if concern for fracture (not required)
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*Post-reduction x-ray: confirm reduction, eval for fractures and loose bodies (avulsions, misalignment, etc)<ref>Krause E A. et al. Pediatric lateral patellar dislocation: is there a role for plain radiography in the emergency department? J Emerg Med. 2013 Jun;44(6):1126-31</ref>
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*Common associated fractures
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**Medial patella facet
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−
**Lateral femoral condyle
+
  
 
==Management==
 
==Management==
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***Slowly extend and slightly hyperextend the knee and slide patella back into place.  
 
***Slowly extend and slightly hyperextend the knee and slide patella back into place.  
 
**Option #2
 
**Option #2
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***One provider applies slow downward pressure over the quads.  This stretches out the muscle and slowly straigttens the leg
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***One provider applies slow downward pressure over the quads.  This stretches out the muscle and slowly straightens the leg
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***At the same time, second pulls gentle traction of the patella outward while rotating the patella back over from lateral to anterior
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***At the same time, second provider pulls gentle traction of the patella outward while rotating the patella back over from lateral to anterior
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**Knee immobilizer, NSAIDs, weight-bearing as tolerated
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*Knee immobilizer, NSAIDs, weight-bearing as tolerated
  
 
==Disposition==
 
==Disposition==
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*Obtain ortho consult if unable to reduce or fracture/loose bodies seen on post-reduction x-ray
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*Otherwise may be discharged with ortho follow-up in 1-2 weeks
  
 
==References==
 
==References==

Latest revision as of 21:14, 9 May 2017

Background

  • Typically occurs with trauma to an extended knee with externally rotated foot[1]
  • Acute dislocation occurs with traumatic injury, M=F, may see hemarthrosis[2]
  • Chronic dislocation seen more commonly in women/teenage girls, typically little or no swelling[2]
  • Common associated fractures
    • Medial patella facet
    • Lateral femoral condyle

Clinical Features

patella dislocates laterally
  • Patella is usually displaced laterally; knee is held in flexion

Differential Diagnosis

Knee diagnoses

Acute Injury

Nontraumatic/Subacute

Evaluation

Patellaluxation ap 001.png
  • Clinical diagnosis
  • May consider pre-reduction x-ray if concern for fracture (not required)

Management

Relocation with lateral pressure on dislocated patella
  • Reduce; do not need x-rays prior to reduction. Rarely need any sedation though a dose of IV pain medication can help relax the patient
    • Option #1:
      • Mild flexion of hip (20-30 degrees by raising head of bed, not by propping the leg up off the bed) to relax quadriceps
      • Slowly extend and slightly hyperextend the knee and slide patella back into place.
    • Option #2
      • One provider applies slow downward pressure over the quads. This stretches out the muscle and slowly straightens the leg
      • At the same time, second provider pulls gentle traction of the patella outward while rotating the patella back over from lateral to anterior
  • Knee immobilizer, NSAIDs, weight-bearing as tolerated

Disposition

  • Obtain ortho consult if unable to reduce or fracture/loose bodies seen on post-reduction x-ray
  • Otherwise may be discharged with ortho follow-up in 1-2 weeks

References

  1. ↑ Review of Orthopaedics, 6th Edition, Mark D. Miller MD, Stephen R. Thompson MBBS MEd FRCSC, Jennifer Hart MPAS PA-C ATC, an imprint of Elsevier, Philadelphia, Copyright 2012
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Fithian DC, Paxton EW, Stone ML, Silva P, Davis DK, Elias DA, White LM. Epidemiology and natural history of acute patellar dislocation. AJSM 2004;32:1114-1121

See Also

Knee (Main)