19-Year-Old Student Suffers Knee "Derailment" After Playing Ball! Do Not Ignore Sports Injuries

News
2024-08-07

Recently, Xiao Tong, a freshman in college, suddenly felt severe pain in his left knee while playing football. His leg felt weak and he could not stand up.

After some self-massage and movement, he was able to walk again, though occasionally there was a “clicking” sound. However, two months later, while playing basketball, Xiao Tong again felt severe pain in his left knee. This time, he suddenly fell backward, hitting the ground hard. The knee pain was so intense that he could not move it.

“It must be a sprain. Go to the hospital immediately!” Xiao Tong’s parents rushed him to the Sports and Medicine Clinic at HeYou Hospital. After a detailed physical examination and relevant tests by Wang Fuke, Director of the Sports Medicine Department, it was discovered that Xiao Tong’s left knee was not a simple sprain, but a patellar dislocation!

Director Wang Fuke’s team used minimally invasive arthroscopic treatment to restore the alignment of Xiao Tong’s patellofemoral joint, significantly reducing the likelihood of future dislocations. Xiao Tong and his parents were very satisfied with the surgical outcome. “A small incision solved a big problem! The child recovered very quickly and can walk without pain!”

Coincidentally, a few days later, 23-year-old A Hui (pseudonym) came to the HeYou Sports Medicine Clinic with symptoms similar to Xiao Tong’s. Compared to Xiao Tong, A Hui’s medical journey was more arduous. Five years ago, A Hui experienced right knee pain after exercise, which subsided with rest. However, over the past year, she had recurrent knee pain and discomfort. She had visited five different hospitals without finding a real solution to her problem. On July 10, A Hui and her family came to the Sports Medicine Clinic with their last hope. The experienced Director Wang Fuke, after a detailed consultation and physical examination, diagnosed A Hui with “right patellar dislocation” and immediately admitted her for surgical treatment. Under minimally invasive arthroscopy, Director Wang Fuke and his team performed a “right knee arthroscopic medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction and right patellar medial retinaculum plication.” Postoperative recovery was excellent, and she was discharged smoothly.

What is Patellar Dislocation?

The patella, commonly known as the “kneecap,” is located at the front of the knee joint. It acts like a small “knee pad,” protecting the knee joint. Its main function is to transmit the force of the quadriceps muscle and maintain the stability of the knee. Patellar dislocation, simply put, is when this bone moves out of its normal position on the femur during activity, sliding to the outside of the lateral femoral condyle. Many people do not know the specific manifestations of patellar dislocation. Some may only feel a twist in the knee, while others may suddenly fall and be unable to walk. Imagine a train that is supposed to run smoothly on its tracks suddenly derailing; the resulting unease and pain are easy to understand.

Differential Diagnosis of Patellar Dislocation

Manifesting as knee discomfort and pain, patellar dislocation is a condition that is easily misdiagnosed clinically. Clinically, patellar dislocation may be confused with the following conditions:

▶ Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury: Since both conditions can present with knee pain and swelling, along with decreased knee stability, careful differentiation is required during diagnosis.

▶ Meniscus Tear: A meniscal tear can also cause knee pain and limited mobility, and in some cases, it may be accompanied by patellar dislocation.

▶ Patellofemoral Arthritis: Chronic patellofemoral arthritis can lead to knee pain and swelling. X-ray imaging may show narrowing of the joint space between the patella and the femoral trochlea, which is similar to the presentation of acute patellar dislocation.

Treatment and Rehabilitation

▶ Conservative Measures: For a first-time dislocation, conservative treatment can be adopted, such as rest, wearing a knee brace, or plaster cast immobilization.

▶ Rehabilitation Exercises: Strengthening the lower limb muscles, especially the vastus medialis, through exercises such as step-ups and leg curls, helps stabilize the joint.