• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Dr. Vonda Wright MD

Orthopedic Surgeon

Developed By: SKSDEV

  • Surgeon
    • My Bio
    • Researcher
    • Operative Protocols
      • Shoulder Surgery
      • Hip Arthroscopic Surgery
      • Knee Surgery
      • TenJet Rehab Guidelines
      • Injectible Protocols
  • Speaker
  • Author
    • Guide To Thrive
    • Fitness After 40
    • Younger in 8 Weeks
  • Consultant
  • Media
  • Podcast
  • Blog
  • Contact

Patellar Instability: What is it?

What is Patellar Instability?

The kneecap (patella) connects the muscles of the front of the thigh to the shinbone (tibia). The thighbone (femur) has a groove that enables the kneecap to move up or down as you bend or straighten your leg.

A groove that is uneven or too shallow will result in a partial or complete knee dislocation. This could also occur as the result of an acute trauma to the knee, such as a sharp blow sustained through a fall.

Patellar Instability

Symptoms of patellar instability may include:

  • Buckling of the knee
  • Knee slips off to one side
  • Stiffness of the joint
  • Pain when sitting
  • Swelling of the joint

Diagnosis typically consists of a physical examination, where the doctor will evaluate the strength of the thigh muscles or take measurements to see if the bones are out of alignment.

The doctor may ask the patient to walk around, or to straighten and bend the knee. X-rays may be necessary to determine how the kneecap fits into its specified groove.

Treating Kneecap Dislocation

The initial step in treating kneecap dislocation is returning it to its proper groove in a process known as reduction. This can occur spontaneously, but will sometimes require your doctor to administer a gentle push to get it back in place.

For chronic cases of kneecap dislocation, or a dislocation that damages the underside of the kneecap and the end of the thighbone, arthroscopic surgery will be recommended.

Nonsurgical treatments such as exercise and a brace are recommended when the kneecap is only partially dislocated.

This will help to strengthen the muscles of the thigh to help hold the knee in place. Cycling is the most common form

My Other Surgical Specialties

  • Shoulder Surgery
    • Rotator Cuff Repair
    • Subacromial Decompression (SAD) / Distal Clavicle Resection (DCR)
    • Shoulder Instability
  • Hip Surgery
    • Hip Arthroscopic Surgery
    • Rehab Protocols for Hip Surgery
  • Knee Surgery
    • Meniscus
    • ACL
    • MPFL

Books

About

Orthopaedic Surgeon, Author, Speaker and "The Mobility Doc," Dr. Vonda Wright is an internationally recognized authority on active aging and sports medicine.

Follow Dr. Vonda

Media Inquiries

Interested in having Dr. Vonda on your TV show or at your conference? Use the button below.
Book Dr.Vonda

Topics

  • Featured Articles
  • Fitness After 40
  • Guide to THRIVE
  • Health
  • Injury Prevention
  • Lifestyle
  • Millennial Women's Health Series
  • Stay Healthy at Work
  • Younger In 8 Weeks

Newsletter Signup

Never miss an article about fitness and nutrition by signing up for Dr. V's free email newsletter
Join for free

  • Blog
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy

© 2021 Dr. Vonda Wright – Web Design by Ezra Digital
  • DISCLAIMER
  • PRIVACY POLICY