What's the Best Treatment for a Dislocated Knee?

All knee injuries are painful and warrant medical attention, but a dislocation is considered a major emergency. If you’ve dislocated your knee, there’s a good chance you’ll need surgery and a specialist to get you back on your feet. Your knees bear the brunt of your body weight, so it’s important to rehabilitate injuries properly the first time. 

Dr. Philip Regala practices orthopedic medicine in Naples, Florida. If you’ve had a dislocated knee leading to chronic knee pain, he can help you decide the best course of treatment moving forward.

What happens during knee dislocations

Your knee is a large and complex joint, one of the largest in your body. It connects three bones in your leg: your thighbone, kneecap, and shinbone. These are cushioned by cartilage and supported by numerous tendons and ligaments, all of which are necessary to move your knee properly. 

Tearing, spraining, or damaging one part of your knee can cause persistent pain and weakness. Dislocation, where the bone moves out of position, is ten times worse. 

Knee dislocations are caused by great force, such as a severe sports injury, car accident, or hard fall. The symptoms are immediate and overwhelming: immense pain, instability, swelling, and visible trauma. Your knee might look like parts of it have been knocked out of place, which is likely true. 

If you think you’ve dislocated your knee, go to the doctor right away. This is a potentially devastating injury, and you might need emergency surgery. 

Treating a dislocated knee 

Treatment for a dislocated knee often involves three parts: reduction, surgery, and rehabilitation. During reduction, you’re sedated while Dr. Regala moves your kneecap back into place.

Once this is done, your doctor can properly assess the damage. One major concern is vascular injury, or damage to the blood vessels in your leg. If your leg is cold or changing colors, it might be a sign that blood isn’t flowing properly. Next, Dr. Regala tests the sensation and function of the nerves in your leg. 

If there’s any nerve damage or vascular injury, surgery might be necessary. However, while surgery can help your knee heal better, only time and rehabilitation can help it heal. This is why it’s important to follow up with a specialist and seek further care. 

Dr. Regala specializes in treating knee pain and offers the following treatments: 

• Physical therapy 
• Anti-inflammatory medication 
• Viscosupplementation
• Corticosteroid injections
• PRP therapy 

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections can be an effective treatment after a dislocation. Platelets from your own blood are injected back into your knee, stimulating a healing response deep within the joint. This not only alleviates pain, but speeds up your recovery as well. 

Recently suffered a knee dislocation? Talk to a specialist to learn more about your treatment options. You can schedule a consultation with Dr. Regala by calling 239-325-1131, or book an appointment online.