Knee dislocation

What is knee dislocation?

A knee dislocation is a severe injury where the bones of the knee joint are forced out of their normal positions. It’s usually a result of high-energy trauma, such as car accidents or sports injuries. Knee dislocations are rare but considered serious because they can cause significant damage to the ligaments, blood vessels, nerves, and other soft tissues around the knee joint.

What does treatment for knee dislocation include?

A knee dislocation may typically involve the following treatment:

• Emergency Care: If you suspect a knee dislocation, it’s crucial to seek medical attention immediately. Emergency medical services should be contacted, and the affected individual should not attempt to move the injured knee unless necessary for safety reasons.
• Reduction: The priority in treating a knee dislocation is to reduce, or put back into place, the dislocated bones as soon as possible. This is often done in the emergency department under sedation or anesthesia to minimize pain and allow for proper manipulation of the joint.
• Immobilization: After the knee has been reduced, it will need to be immobilized to prevent further damage and promote healing. This typically involves the use of a brace or splint to keep the knee stable.
• Assessment for Associated Injuries: Knee dislocations often involve damage to surrounding structures such as ligaments, tendons, blood vessels, and nerves. Additional diagnostic tests, such as MRI or angiography, may be needed to evaluate the extent of these injuries.
• Surgery: Depending on the severity of the injury and any associated damage, surgery may be necessary to repair ligaments, tendons, or other structures within the knee joint. This could involve procedures such as ligament reconstruction, repair of torn blood vessels, or nerve repair.

Why should rehabilitation be included in recovery with this injury? 

Rehabilitation plays a crucial role in the recovery process following a knee dislocation. The goals of rehabilitation are to restore range of motion, strength, stability, and function to the injured knee while minimizing the risk of complications such as chronic pain or instability. Here’s an overview of the rehabilitation process for knee dislocation:

• Early Mobilization: Once the knee has been immobilized and the acute phase of treatment has passed, rehabilitation typically begins with gentle range of motion exercises. Initially, these exercises are performed within the limits of comfort to prevent stiffness and promote healing.
• Strengthening Exercises: As healing progresses, strengthening exercises are gradually introduced to rebuild the muscles around the knee joint. These exercises target the quadriceps, hamstrings, calf muscles, and muscles of the hip and core to improve stability and support for the knee.
• Balance and Proprioception Training: Balance and proprioception (awareness of joint position) exercises are important for restoring stability and reducing the risk of recurrent injury. These exercises may involve standing on one leg, using balance boards or stability balls, and performing dynamic movements that challenge coordination.
• Functional Activities: Rehabilitation also focuses on restoring the ability to perform everyday activities and sports-specific movements. This may include walking, stair climbing, squatting, jumping, and cutting motions (e.g., for athletes participating in sports like basketball or soccer).
• Cardiovascular Conditioning: Maintaining cardiovascular fitness is important during rehabilitation. Low-impact activities such as stationary cycling or swimming may be incorporated to improve endurance and overall fitness levels without putting excessive stress on the knee joint.
• Flexibility Training: Flexibility exercises are essential for maintaining or improving joint mobility and preventing stiffness. Stretching exercises target the muscles around the knee as well as those in the hips and lower back to improve overall flexibility and reduce strain on the knee joint.
• Manual Therapy: Hands-on techniques such as massage, joint mobilization, and soft tissue mobilization may be used by physical therapists to alleviate pain, improve tissue mobility, and enhance the effectiveness of other rehabilitation interventions.
• Gradual Return to Activity: Once strength, stability, and function have improved sufficiently, a gradual return to sports or other physical activities may be initiated. It’s important for individuals to follow a structured progression and to listen to their bodies to avoid overexertion and minimize the risk of reinjury.
• Education and Self-Management Strategies: Throughout the rehabilitation process, education on proper body mechanics, injury prevention techniques, and strategies for managing symptoms is provided to empower individuals in their recovery and help them make informed decisions about their health and activity levels.
• Long-Term Maintenance: Even after completing formal rehabilitation, individuals with a history of knee dislocation may benefit from ongoing maintenance exercises and periodic follow-up with healthcare providers to monitor for any signs of recurrence or complications.

Rehabilitation protocols may vary depending on factors such as the severity of the injury, surgical interventions, individual goals, and underlying health conditions. A comprehensive rehabilitation program should be tailored to the specific needs and capabilities of each individual under the guidance of a qualified Biokineticist.