Patellar luxation

During sports activities, it can happen that you collide with someone, causing the kneecap to move to the wrong side of the joint. The kneecap then dislocates. A patella can dislocate to either side: to the inside (medially) or to the outside (laterally). In sports-related trauma, we often see the kneecap dislocate medially due to external forces on the body, such as an impact. However, the most common form is a lateral patella dislocation. This often occurs in girls during growth spurts and can happen spontaneously.

Causes of patella dislocation

A patella dislocation can occur during sports when external forces act on the leg or kneecap. This typically happens during excessive rotation, jumping, or a direct hit to the kneecap. In young females going through a growth spurt, spontaneous dislocations may occur, and they can become recurrent. A knee brace can provide support in cases of patella dislocation.