Symptoms and Treatment of an Unstable Kneecap - Get the Knee Stability That You Deserve!

Oct. 30, 2009 - PRLog -- Symptoms And Treatment Of An Unstable Kneecap

Often, people who participate in a lot of heavy duty sports suddenly find themselves afflicted with an unstable kneecap. This condition is characterized by abnormal movement of the kneecap and a sensation of not being able to balance well. This is due to the kneecap not sliding properly within its central groove on the femur. In order to properly comprehend an unstable kneecap however, it is necessary to first understand the structure of the kneecap.

Structure Of The Kneecap

The kneecap actually covers the end of the thighbone. It sits atop the end of the thighbone with a layer of cartilage in between. This allows the kneecap to slide smoothly over the bone. In a normal kneecap, there is a central groove in the kneecap that fits over the end of the thighbone. This keeps the kneecap sliding straight up and down, allowing the knee to function normally. With an unstable kneecap, however, the kneecap no longer slides normally.

Symptoms Of An Unstable Kneecap

• Kneecap slides to the side
• Knee is no longer able to support weight and buckles
• Knee catches and locks when being moved
• Cracking or creaking of the knee
• Swelling
• Stiffness

If you suffer from one or more of the above symptoms, then it is possible that you have an unstable kneecap.

Dangers Of An Unstable Kneecap

For some people, an unstable kneecap is no more than a minor inconvenience. In others, it can be a problem that causes excruciating pain and leaves them bedridden. For those who do not suffer to such a severe extent, however, having an unstable kneecap poses great dangers. In a normal knee, where the kneecap sits firmly atop the end of the thighbone, it is quite difficult for the kneecap to move in any other direction.

With an unstable kneecap, however, the normal mechanisms that keep the kneecap in its proper place have already failed. This means that the kneecap is very easily dislocated. A dislocated kneecap is a very serious injury that also causes unbearable pain. This can occur if a twisting force or large impact is applied to the knee joint. Often, this happens as a result of a fall.

Necessary Precautions

One of the precautions that many doctors will deem necessary, if you suffer from an unstable patella, is to wear a knee brace. Braces can vary in complexity from a simple cloth sleeve that is worn over the knee to complex devices constructed from some lightweight metal, cloth, drtyex and other materials. The type of knee brace you choose to wear should depend on the severity of your condition. The main purpose of wearing a knee brace, in this situation, however, is to prevent your kneecap from slipping too far out of its normal position.

A knee brace will support your knee and perform some of the function that is usually performed by the knee. This takes some of the pressure of supporting your body weight off your knee. If you have an unstable knee, then this is very important to prevent your kneecap from becoming dislocated. It also helps to prevent your knee from sustaining other serious injuries.

If you have problems with a dislocating knee cap then you should seriously consider a knee brace today. These supports can really help to keep your patella aligned.

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