Patellofemoral Instability
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Patellofemoral Instability
Patellofemoral instability refers to the instability of the knee cap. The knee cap has a propensity to dislocate, i.e. move out of place causing significant discomfort and pain every time it happens.
Injury and Symptoms
In the adolescent population, it is usually a recurrent problem with
instability seen even with daily activities like walking or turning. It
is more
commonly seen in girls. It is associated with significant disability and
inability to perform many activities. In the adult population, it is
usually
seen as a result of a traumatic episode and rarely can become a
recurrent
problem. In the acute phase, patients usually complain of pain, swelling
and
difficulty in walking. In the more chronic phase, the patients feel mild
discomfort along with difficulty in performing daily activities due to
the fear
of it re-dislocating. In more severe cases it can dislocate with every
movement
of the knee. A thorough physical examination is necessary. A detailed
radiographic analysis, CT scan and MRI may be necessary to assess all
contributory factors.
Treatment
Patellofemoral instability is a complex problem to tackle. Usually, for first
time dislocation episodes, non-surgical treatment with appropriate bracing and a
structured rehabilitation program is the treatment of choice. In certain cases,
when there is an injury to the cartilage, an arthroscopic surgery to tackle the
cartilage injury may be necessary. In recurrent episodes of instability, a
thorough evaluation of all soft tissue and bony features of each patient is
absolutely necessary. Based on the patients anatomy, a combination of soft
tissue procedures and bony realignment procedures is necessary to prevent any
further dislocation episodes.
Consult your doctor to formulate a treatment plan for your personalized needs.