To wonder if waiting for physio for 3 weeks after a dislocated knee is ok

[LovelyL3ntils]

DD’s knee dislocated really badly. It popped back in but she is in pain and too scared to put any weight on it. Earliest physio is 3 weeks and I’m worried about it stiffening up. She’s stuck on crutches and limited as to where she can go. Also worried about her MH. She has autism, hyper mobility and ADHD. MH history and struggling with not being able to go anywhere. Is a 3 week wait the norm and ok?

Can't do much physio when the entire area is full of fluid and at its most painful.

Just make sure that she takes pain relief and does the exercises properly in between sessions - discomfort is normal - to make sure she doesn't lose range of motion and strengthens the leg to help increase joint stability.

Are you UK based? What kind of age is she? How long ago did she dislocate it?

Has she been seen in A&E/ by a doctor? Did they give any interim advise or precautions whilst awaiting physio? Was she given anything other than crutches? Is the physio appointment private or through the NHS?

Went to minor injuries .Sent home with crutches ( nothing else or any exercise)and a link to book physio. Earliest we could get is in 3 weeks. NHS

19 It’s happened before due to her hypermobility but not this badly and a long time ago.

I dislocated my knee as a teenager and it was in a cast for 3 weeks (it was out for ages as paramedics had to put it back in). Anyway point being, I couldn't have physio till at least 3 weeks as it wasn't even out of plaster. Second time I don't even remember physio (did the other one too, 2 years later) but it was over 20 years ago...

I think physio is more about regaining strength- it'll still need to heal right now.
You can build strength at any time, I don't think the time frame is too bothersome.

And, for what it's worth, my knees are pretty good for all their trauma. I can run etc. Avoid skiing, ice skating - anything where I dont feel in 'control' of my knees. I'm hopeful your DD will be just fine once the swelling and pain subsides.

The fear might last for a long while, though. Even now, I'm still hugely careful of my knees, won't let people touch them (even a hand on my knee makes me cringe) and the though of dislocated anything gives me chills.

Hope your dd feels better soon OP.

I suspect a three week wait isn't too bad as when I had physio after breaking my leg I was told it was too early to be seen because you can do lots more damage and expect too much of your leg with early physio.

I have similar issues with my hip subluxating so I would suggest your daughter asks the physio for a long term exercise programme to help with long term stability.

While on crutches and in between ops etc I have found the NHS Scotland physio videos the best - in England they just seem to give you a print off for knee exercises but the videos are far more helpful if like me you are better seeing someone else doing the exercise rather than looking at a sheet.

As for the boredom of crutches there are some great online free courses if there is something that she is interested in learning, like a language or other interest?

If she has bad hypermobility look into strengthening classes. I used to know a qualified physio who gave one to one plates sessions with the idea of stabilising joints. Helped massively with subluxations and joint pains.
Really important to only go to someone who understands hypermobility though.

My son ( adult) has hyper mobility. He dislocated his knee doing a high kick whilst playing around with his friends kid. He was on crutches for at least six weeks, they had to put it back into place. His physio was at least 2 months later and only 2 sessions. Just told to do the exercise at home.

You have to wait til the swelling goes down a bit before you start physiotherapy for a dislocation, so waiting 3 weeks is OK. My dd has Marfans, so she has unfortunately had lots of dislocations.

while she waits, has she followed the RICE actions OP?

Thank you so much, this is all really useful info.

What are those?

Call them and explain, they may be able to fit her in a cancellation , but as others Have said as the swelling goes it will start to feel and move better naturally while she waits

When I dislocated my knee, my leg was put in a full-length cast for 6 weeks and I was an in-patient for 2 weeks, total bed rest for the first week.

That was over 40 years ago though, I daresay the way these things are treated has changed somewhat over that time.

Hi OP,
I would ask your DD to also ensure the GP arrange a referral for EDS - Ehlers-Danlos assessment.
For some people with hypermobilty the dislocation of joints gets worse and more often in late teens / early 20s and they are diagnosed with this. I hope this is not the situation with your DD but it is a long process to be diagnosed and the sooner they start to look into it the better.

Rest
Ice. ( Bag of frozen peas on a tea towel for 20 mins. Don’t eat the peas! )
Compression ( if there’s swelling )
Elevation. ( to reduce swelling )

Agree with others, when I dislocated my knee it was several weeks before physio started. Is she using a knee support? These are very reassuring.

Oh my goodness I’ve just looked, she has the bruising and heart burn and raised heart rate already. Long suffered with all 3.

I injured my knee/fibia last year and was told RICE has been strongly discredited!! Gentle movement is best when possible.

I started phsyio weeks later allowing for swelling and pain to reduce and it was the right time for me. Remember it's an ongoing thing and I continued my exercise for 8+ months and had a really good recovery.

I also suffer hyper mobility and have had a massive reduction in injuries since starting weight/strength training. It's strengthened my ligaments and muscles allowing for them to compensate for the hyper mobility!

I am sorry to hear that. Keep on at them for a referral, don't be fobbed off. 💐

What do they do if you do have it?

Ds had his cast off sept 18. First physio Oct 11. Seems a month wait is normal.

I broke my foot and the ice part isn't as essential as you think any more, they told me to stop after a few days. If I remember correctly it's just to bring down swelling in the early days. Elevation and rest was more important.

It's a condition that can vary in severity, so treatment will depend on how often dislocations occur etc.

Treatment for dislocated knees has definately changed over the years. I first dislocated my knee at age 15. I was put in a cast for 6 weeks and walked with crutches for 12 weeks, then left to get on with it… no physio. 40 years later I dislocated the same knee. This time it was put in a knee brace and I was given one crutch. Referred to physio within 2 weeks. Had weekly sessions for 4 months until I could almost bend it to the same degree as my good knee.
It was 6 months before I was back driving and doing hobbies again ( gym and horse riding).