Patellar dislocation

Alternative names:

dislocation of the knee cap; injury - knee - patellar; injury - patella; knee cap dislocation; knee injury - patellar

Symptoms:

• kneecap (patella) displace to the outside of the knee (laterally)
• knee swelling
• knee pain and tenderness
• "sloppy" knee cap; that is, able to move the knee cap excessively from right to left (hypermobile patella)

Signs and tests:

Physical examination provides a visual confirmation of the dislocated knee cap (patella). Touching (palpation) confirms a hypermobile patella.

A knee X-ray may be performed, confirming dislocation.