Thursday Night Lights: Dr. Samuelson on Patellar Dislocations

[0:00] Host: We’re back on the OrthoNebraska halftime show with more fascinating topics from the orthopedic surgeons who do such an amazing job at OrthoNebraska. You know this man, Dr. Eric Samuelson, an orthopedic surgeon. We’re going to talk about patellar dislocations. That sounds painful. What’s going on there?

[0:20] Dr. Samuelson: Essentially, the patella, or kneecap, slides up and down a groove called the trochlea. Occasionally, usually during a sport like football, soccer or basketball, it can slip out of that groove. That usually injures one of the ligaments on the inside of the knee called the medial patellofemoral ligament. When the kneecap pops out of its groove, there are usually some bone bruises, and sometimes cartilage injuries. It can even knock off a piece of cartilage that becomes loose inside the knee joint.

[0:50] Host: And if that happens, how do you manage it?

[0:52] Dr. Samuelson: The first thing is to get the patella reduced, or back in place. That typically happens on its own, or it can be done on the sideline by the athletic trainer. Then it’s ice, elevation and compression, the typical RICE treatment everybody knows, plus anti-inflammatory medications. After that, follow up with your friendly neighborhood orthopedic surgeon, at least to get X-rays and make sure there are no additional injuries. A lot of times patients also get an MRI to make sure there’s nothing else, like a loose body floating around in the knee that needs to be addressed. Assuming that’s not the case, first-line treatment is bracing and physical therapy, working on range of motion, regaining strength and so on.

[1:33] Host: All right, thank you very much. More interesting topics, and we’re back with more football right after this.