Patella dislocation occurs almost always in young people. This causes considerable pain in the knee, and it affects the patient’s ability to live an active life. Knee cap dislcation may cause damage to the cartilage of the knee, which causes the appearance of free bodies in the knee, or to a rupture of meniscus in the knee.

The main reasons that precipitate patellar dislocation are:

  • An abnormal anatomical structure that allows the patella to exit from the knee.
  • Over-flexibility of the joints.
  • Moderate trauma, causing a rupture of the ligament, which connects the inner side of the patella to the inner side of the knee

More than half of the boys and girls, who had dislocated the patella once, will continue to dislocate it again and again, unless surgery is performed to repair or restore a ligament, that connects the patella to the knee. The younger the patient who dislocated the patella, the greater the risk of recurrent patellar dislocation.

Patellar dislocation treatment options are:

  1. Conservative treatment consisting mainly of resting the knee in a special brace, followed by long physiotherapy to strengthen and balance the muscles around the knee. This treatment can be effective mainly after first dislocation. This conservative treatment is effective for about half of those, who suffer from a first kneecap dislocation.
  2. Surgical intervention after first dislocation. This approach is recommended in boys and girls with over flexibility in joints, or in cases, where there is a suspicion of additional knee damage, such as cartilage damage or a meniscus rupture. It is possible to tighten the damaged ligament supporting the patella, so that the ligament will be stronger and will restore the stability of the kneecap. This surgery is ineffective, if more than two months have passed since the injury, which caused the dislocation of the patella.
  3. Reconstructive surgery of the supporting ligament is performed in cases of repeated patellar dislocation.
  4. Surgical repair of the abnormal anatomical structure, which allows the kneecap to exit from the knee.
פריקת פיקה

Surgery to reconstruct the patella ligament is the most common procedure for correcting patellar dislocation. Dr. Suzanna Horovitz has specialized in the operation of patellar ligament reconstruction. In the surgical technique, the surgeon transfers a different tendon along with the muscle instead of the original failed ligament.

In this way, the complete replacement of the alternate tendon from the knee prevent patellar dislocation, the anatomical connection between the alternate tendon and the original knee position is maintained, and the use of bolts to replace the replacement tendon is avoided.

During the same surgery, a knee arthroscopy is also performed to examine and treat other knee injuries, and also to ensure, that the patella is returned to its correct position.

After surgery the leg is placed in knee stabilizer with gradual return of full movements of the knee. Later, physiotherapy is given to strengthen and balance the knee muscles.

After surgery and rehabilitation, it is possible to return to full active life.

פריקת ברך