Patellar Instability

Creator: Jayashree Thakwani
Keywords: patellar instability, kneecap dislocation, knee cap displacement, patellar dislocation, patellar instability exercises, patellar instability test, patellar instability brace, patellar instability orthobullets, patellar instability physical therapy, knee brace, patellar subluxation, traumatic dislocation, knee injuries, patellofemoral ligament, knee joint effusion, patellar instability, traumatic patellar dislocation, chronic patellar instability

Author - Jayashree Thakwani, M.Pharm.Sci

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Kaushik Bharati, MSc, PhD, FRSPH (London) on Jun 26, 2019

What is Patellar Instability?

Patellar instability is a common knee injury occurring in pediatric and adolescent population. This clinical problem affects about 5-25 people per 100,000.

This condition is also known as patellar or kneecap dislocation or unstable kneecap.

The patella is also known as kneecap. It is connected to the femur (thighbone) and tibia (shinbone) by ligaments and tendons. The patella fits into a groove or space in the knee joint, at the end of the femur. As the knee is bent, the patella slides up and down.

Patellar instability occurs when the patella moves outside of this space and results in patellofemoral pain in front of the knee. It is most often a result of knee injury.

What are the Types of Patellar Instability?

There are two types of patellar instability:

Traumatic Patellar Dislocation: In this type, the patella gets pushed out of the groove. The most likely cause is an injury to the knee
Chronic Patellar Instability: The patella or kneecap slides slightly out of the groove. It is also known as patellar subluxation (partial dislocation) and can occur due to overuse of the knee joint

What are the Causes of Patellar Instability?

Some of the causes of patellar instability include the following:

Hypermobility
Weakness or muscle imbalance
Obesity
Poor muscle flexibility and strength
Uneven groove or space in femur (thighbone)
Defect in alignment of bone or kneecap
Dislocation or injury
Soft tissue abnormality such as torn patellofemoral ligament
Previous injury

References:

Patellar Instability - Johns Hopkins Medicine - (https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/patellar-instability)
Knee Instability: The Problem and How to Prevent It - Debilitating Diseases - (https://www.debilitatingdiseases.net/knee-instability/)
Sanchis-Alfonso V. How to Deal with Chronic Patellar Instability: What Does the Literature Tell Us? Sports Health. 2016; 8(1): 86-90. - (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4702155/)
Tanner SM, Garth WP Jr, Soileau R, Lemons JE. A Modified Test for Patellar Instability: The Biomechanical Basis. Clin J Sport Med. 2003; 13(6): 327-38. - (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14608221)
Patellar Instability and Patellofemoral Pain - Gillette Children�s Specialty Healthcare - (https://www.gillettechildrens.org/conditions-care/patellar-instability-patellofemoral-pain)
Patellar Instability (Kneecap Dislocation) - Rady Children�s Hospital San Diego - (https://www.rchsd.org/programs-services/sports-medicine/conditions-treated/patella-instability-kneecap-dislocation/)
Colvin AC, West RV. Patellar Instability. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2008; 90: 2751-62. - (http://www.patellofemoral.org/pfoe/PDFs/West_Colvin.pdf)
Patellar Instability - Mayo Clinic - (https://www.mayo.edu/research/centers-programs/sports-medicine/clinical-services/patellar-instability)
Patellar Dislocation and Instability in Children (Unstable Kneecap) � OrthoInfo - (https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/patellar-dislocation-and-instability-in-children-unstable-kneecap/)

Cite this Article ⇣⇡

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APA
Jayashree Thakwani. (2019, June 26). Patellar Instability | Kneecap Dislocation | Dislocation of Patella. Medindia. Retrieved on Nov 30, 2024 from https://www.medindia.net/health/conditions/patellar-instability.htm.
MLA
Jayashree Thakwani. "Patellar Instability | Kneecap Dislocation | Dislocation of Patella". Medindia. Nov 30, 2024. <https://www.medindia.net/health/conditions/patellar-instability.htm>.
Chicago
Jayashree Thakwani. "Patellar Instability | Kneecap Dislocation | Dislocation of Patella". Medindia. https://www.medindia.net/health/conditions/patellar-instability.htm. (accessed Nov 30, 2024).
Harvard
Jayashree Thakwani. 2019. Patellar Instability | Kneecap Dislocation | Dislocation of Patella. Medindia, viewed Nov 30, 2024, https://www.medindia.net/health/conditions/patellar-instability.htm.