Sports Related Aches, Pains & Injuries / Question
Published: December 8, 2003
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I wrestle, and in a tournament I stood up and I hurt my knee. My doctor told me I dislocated it. Later I went to school and it started popping. Should I have any concerns about my knee?
Signed: Wrestler's Knee Hurts
Dear Wrestler's Knee Hurts,
It is difficult for FX to tell you whether or not you should be concerned about your knee without being able to examine it. Therefore, we suggest that you call the doctor who treated you right after the dislocation and ask him or her what kinds of things you might expect during the recovery period. He or she will be more familiar with the extent of your injury, how it was treated, and can give the best prognosis about what the healing process might entail. Most physicians agree that any new symptoms, such as popping, pain, or swelling that appear during the recovery period should be brought to a doctor's attention for further evaluation.
Sometimes the kneecap (patella) can be involved in a dislocation. The kneecap is the bone that protects the knee joint and rides in a groove at the lower end of the thigh bone (femur). It is held in place by muscles and tendons and can be dislocated by a blow or sudden twist. Once the kneecap has been dislocated, it may happen again fairly regularly. Although subsequent dislocations may cause less immediate severe pain and swelling, they may cause chronic pain over a long period.
Depending on how badly you dislocated your knee, you might have to see an orthopedist (a doctor that specializes in bones) to determine whether or not you are healing properly and decide if you might need some type of follow-up procedure or physical therapy to regain full use of your knee. He or she might even be able to give you some exercises to strengthen your knee and prevent injuries in the future.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
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