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Dislocating patellas

8 replies

Starfish125 · 08/07/2024 16:12

This is probably a stupid thread but I wondered if anyone in the same position could give me advice?

Basically I have hypermobility, doesn't really affect me except my knees have dislocated every now and then over the last 12 years (I'm 34) each time it's happened it has luckily slid straight back into place, so no need for a&e although I did go the first few times and all it ended up with was an x-ray which showed it was back in place and a referral to the fracture clinic.

Fast forward since I gave birth to my baby 1 year ago it's got 100x worse. I am able to now feel it sliding out and I can stop it just in time but this is a nightmare, it can happen walking downstairs, standing in an awkward position like leaning to get something, you name it. My partner and mum keep badgering me to go to the GP but in all honesty what will they do? They did refer me to physio years ago but it didn't help and from what I remember I couldn't possibly do the exercises now (standing on one foot against the wall etc) as they are SO weak and lax. I can physically move the kneecap side to side when sitting down. Has anyone got any positive stories, even if it meant having surgery, that made this better? Because I feel the GP would be a waste of time if not!

OP posts:
DeliciousApples · 08/07/2024 18:35

Bumping for you as I only know about dogs!

Vets carve out a deeper groove in the bone the ligaments or tendons run in and somehow screw things together to prevent it happening again.

I don't know if they do that on humans but you'd think they would if it works!

Worth going to see someone if you can get a referral. It's not like it'll do you any harm to go consider your options.

ditalini · 08/07/2024 18:51

It's always worth going back imo.

When it's not too bad then they'll treat the not too bad, but now that it's worse there may be different treatment options suggested.

Even if there's not, at least you'll know, and if there are but waiting lists are long then you'll know your options.

TinglyandCurious · 08/07/2024 19:02

You likely have trochlear dysplasia as well as hypermobility. I’m same and it’s a pain. Physio to strengthen the muscles around the patella to stabilise it can help but there are surgical options too to deepen the grove so your patella has somewhere to sit. Mine is so much worse since having children too so you have my sympathy.

RebelMoon · 08/07/2024 19:06

DeliciousApples · 08/07/2024 18:35

Bumping for you as I only know about dogs!

Vets carve out a deeper groove in the bone the ligaments or tendons run in and somehow screw things together to prevent it happening again.

I don't know if they do that on humans but you'd think they would if it works!

Worth going to see someone if you can get a referral. It's not like it'll do you any harm to go consider your options.

I was going to say the same thing. My dog had this op and it was transformational.

PeppyC · 08/07/2024 20:25

I had subluxing patella when I was a pre-teen. It was always popping in and out. I’m also slightly hypermobile but doesn’t cause any problems. I ended up having an operation to release some tight ligaments on one knee and it made it much better, but they don’t often do it any more as it can lead to arthritis down the line.
My other knee started playing up in my 20s and I ended up properly, badly dislocating it in a rainforest! After that I was struggling a lot but had some physio and lots of work to build up my quads and they’re much better now - definitely worth having physio!

ellyo · 08/07/2024 21:47

Happy for you to PM me - I had major surgery for this issue and it completely fixed it, but that was at the point I'd been so injured by dislocations I was unable to walk.

Summersun3 · 12/11/2024 18:56

I honestly could have written this myself, my daughter was born last summer. Mine has been very painful though, I was at A and E this afternoon. Been given strict instructions to rest which is so difficult with a toddler at home. I think physio and failing that surgery are our options, let me know how you get on!

Fundraiser12345 · 12/11/2024 19:01

I had this as a teen and had MPFL reconstruction on both knees (13 and 15 years ago), its absolutely worth going back. Physio will help too

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