“Is a dislocated knee an emergency?”
I am a 24 year old male. I want to know if a dislocated knee is an emergency?
6 Answers
IF IT IS TRULY A DISLOCATED KNEE THEN THERE MAY WELL BE A FRACTURE ALSO. MORE COMMONLY PEOPLE DISLOCATE THE KNEE CAP, OR PATELLA. THESE STILL OFTEN REQUIRE AN ER VISIT, BUT THEY ARE EASY TO REDUCE BACK INTO PLACE. A KNEE DISLOCATION SHOULD ALWAYS BE SEEN IN THE ER
Yes. It is important to distinguish between a dislocated knee and a dislocated knee cap (patella). A dislocated patella can be relocated in the field. A follow up exam is advisable. A dislocated knee is a true emergency as the likelihood of a vascular injury is quite high.
Yes. It can be catastrophic to the extremity for a true knee dislocation
Yes, It should be reduced immediately.
Yes, a dislocated knee is an emergency because you are at risk of injuring the popliteal artery, i.e., the artery that runs in the back of the knee. Aside from the severe pain, inability to walk, you may also have suffered a fracture of the femur (thigh bone), tibia, or fibula (the two bones in the leg).
Yes, a joint that is out of place should be evaluated by a healthcare provider. You can get other complications including fractures, nerve and blood flow injuries.
