[DGreene28]

FOUND A BETTER WEB DEFINITION

Dislocated kneecap (patella)
Description: A common injury caused by direct trauma or forceful straightening of the leg, such as an injury that happens when serving in volleyball or tennis. Patellar dislocation is more common in women, the obese, knock-kneed people, and in those with high-riding kneecaps.
Symptoms: If you have this injury, you will notice the patella being out of place and may have difficulty flexing or extending your knee.
Treatment: The doctor will pop the patella back into place (reduce the dislocation). Even if the patella goes back into place by itself, however, it needs to be x-rayed for a fracture. After reducing the patella and ensuring the absence of a fracture, the doctors will treat these injuries by splinting the knee for 3 weeks to allow the soft tissues around the patella to heal followed by strengthening exercises to keep the patella in line.