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Lively Women

Dislocated Knee Injury

by Heather on July 9th, 2006

Well, here’s something that has put a snag in my efforts to lose weight and get in healthier shape. I dislocated my left knee yesterday.

I had taken my kids to the playground behind my parents’ church. For the first time in months, I had tons of energy because I’d worked out in the morning and was drinking lots of water. But when I put my 3-year-old on this tricycle merry-go-round thing, the handlebar jabbed my left kneecap, knocking it to the side.

It shocked me how much it hurt, and I crumpled to the ground. My older daughter ran to get my purse that had my cell phone in it. Within a few minutes, my mom, dad, and brother were there — and my husband was on his way.

They realized the pain was too intense for them to carry me up the hill to get to the hospital, so they called an ambulance. So, I was lying on this playground for about 30 minutes, about to pass out from the pain and 90+ degree heat. When the EMTs arrived, they had to give me morphine in order to get me moved on to the stretcher. I finally resorted to using breathing techniques I’d used during labor, but I told them this knee injury hurt worse than anything I’ve ever been through.

OK — so this was my first experience riding in an ambulance. It’s certainly not something that was on my agenda for the day. The EMTs kept ice on my knee and kept it as still as possible while they transported me. It was extremely painful again when they moved me from the stretcher to the hospital bed. In fact, one of the hospital staff whispered in my ear, “M’am, this is going to hurt like hell, but it will be quick.” That seemed to help!

Well, I’m home now, with a knee brace and crutches. The x-rays came out good, showing that I wouldn’t need surgery, and a doctor manually rotated my knee cap back into place. Next week, I’ll go to an orthopedic surgeon and probably start some physical therapy.

I feel so discouraged right now, mad at myself, even though this was an accident and couldn’t have been prevented. I’m trying to think positive — and wonder if my experience might be able to help someone else. Even though I won’t be able to exercise like I have been for several weeks, there are still things I CAN do for my health. I can continue to drink my water, eat small, healthy portions of food, and do upper body exercises that still allow me to keep my knee immobilized while it heals.

Of course, I’ve been reading a lot about patellar dislocation. Here are few sites I’ve found helpful:
Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia: Knee Cap Dislocation
Penn Health Knee Cap Dislocation
Self Magazine Knee Forum (includes strengthening exercises)

I’ve got to keep myself upbeat, think lively, and see this as part of my journey of healthy living!

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POSTED IN: Fitness, Health, Injury, Parenting, Physical Therapy, Stress, Weight Loss

26 opinions for Dislocated Knee Injury

  • Dabbling Mum
    Jul 9, 2006 at 10:02 pm

    Oh Heather!

    That sounds so painful. I hope you feel better soon and glad it’s fixable. Don’t get discouraged. God will get you back up to speed in no time.

  • Hsien Lei
    Jul 10, 2006 at 3:45 am

    Oh my goodness! It sounds awful!!!!!! OUCH OUCH OUCH.

    Hope you’ll get a chance to rest and let it heel (although a busy mom like you will never get enough rest). Big hugs and an ice pack too!!

  • Lively Women » Knee Injury Recovery: A Lesson from Tiger Woods
    Jul 10, 2006 at 10:39 am

    […] I’m still bummed about my dislocated knee accident. I took my brace off last night for a few minutes, and my kneecap looks all weird and swollen. I made an appointment with the orthopedic doctor for Wednesday, so until then … ooh la la. I’ve got to take it easy. […]

  • HolyMama!
    Jul 11, 2006 at 1:32 pm

    i can’t believe that happened to you - what a weird accident! morphine and an ambulance?!

    I love your healthy outlook and dedication. you inspire me, as usual!

  • Mom 2 Mom Connection » Blog Archive » A Summer of Ups and Downs
    Jul 15, 2006 at 4:27 pm

    […] I’ve been a bit down lately, so I wanted to pop in here and say hello. I injured my knee big-time last Saturday and have never been in such pain. You can read about it here in my new women’s health blog which I’m writing for b5 media. It was definitely not penciled in my calendar to be hauled away in an ambulance FROM THE PLAYGROUND. […]

  • eph2810
    Jul 16, 2006 at 1:39 am

    Ouch, Heather. I am so sorry to hear that you are/were is so much pain. I hope that you will heal very soon. I like your attitude - keep doing the things you can do, like drinking water and exercise as much as you can.:)
    (((hugs)))

  • Blair
    Jul 17, 2006 at 7:01 pm

    Oh my gosh Heather!!! How awful!! ((HUGS)) Praying for a quick recovery!

  • sara
    Jul 18, 2006 at 11:31 pm

    Oh Heather, I hope you’ll feel better soon! Praying for you.

  • A Hearty Life » Hearty Habits #8: Smaller is Better
    Aug 2, 2006 at 11:24 pm

    […] Today’s Hearty Habits features Heather Ivester of Lively Women who I will be almost close enough to touch when I arrive in Atlanta later in the day from London (transiting on the way to San Francisco). Heather is aiming for smaller portions and a smaller waistline in today’s Hearty Habits. Well, up until last weekend [early July] when I dislocated my knee, my one healthy habit was working out at Curves at least three times a week. It’s a half-hour circuit for women that works all the major muscle groups, and you keep your heart rate up by doing aerobic activity between the machines. […]

  • AMIE
    Sep 2, 2007 at 12:14 am

    Hi

    I have done the same thing. I was working out to.
    Fail in the bathroom. Now it has been 7 weeks and I still cant pick up my leg.I am in P.T and hate I it. Thank you for wrighting this .I dont feel so alone.

  • imogen
    Sep 3, 2007 at 1:59 pm

    that accident sounds dreadful! i also dislocated my knee only last week during physical education at school!! it was the most excruciating pain i have ever felt in my life and i do not wish it upon anyone!

  • Jade
    Nov 1, 2007 at 4:01 pm

    hi all, i dislocated my knee when jumping round in dance (p.e) but when it was put back in and evrerything soo much better, we went to the doctors everything was fine, they check the way it moved and evrything exsept a xray or the other x ray, i was a bit worried , the doctors gave me nothing and it was a bit bad, because my nan heard of my knee and she is a nurse-wardern, and she said no matter how bad or how good the injury is u still need surrport it was really bad that niether hospital or the GP gave me surport, so my nan got me used clean cluches and my mum got a knee surport from the chemist, (one you pull up and onto the knee) i mean i think i was very lucky for it not to be so serioes, but we went to the doctors again yestoday just to see if they could do anything and the doctor said we can book you a phsio , least i got a little bit more!!, i mean i should have been given knee surport for the first few days.
    Don’t you think?

  • Kristen King
    Nov 11, 2007 at 7:52 pm

    Hi, Jade,

    I would think so! If your knee was dislocated, surely the tendons or ligaments or whatever it is that holds knees in place were strained, and supporting the joint with a brace would have allowed them to rest a little and get things back in shape. I’m surprised the doctors didn’t do this for you, but I’m glad your nan and mum were there to help you out and get you the support you needed.

    Kristen

  • Donna
    Jan 11, 2008 at 9:34 pm

    I also have a dislocated knee. It happened christmas day. I was bending over to get my 2 year old daughter out of her carseat[two-door car]and somehow twisted my leg and felt my knee pop out of place and I plummeted to the ground. I am in a splint for about 5 weeks, just recently got off of the cruthches.It was the worst pain I have ever felt. I just hope it heals up all the way and doesn’t happen again so I can get back to my normal life. I guess you never know when something like this could happen to you. I feel for everyone that this has happened to.

  • nashad
    Jan 18, 2008 at 9:52 pm

    wtf! i deslocated my knee 2day at school at lunch (11:20) and bared it till 3:00 when i reached home.why r u makin a big deal its not dat bad ive been in worst pain (im only 13)

  • Jade
    Jan 25, 2008 at 6:51 pm

    im 13 too and by the way i bared it as long as u!
    i mean don’t be stupit and tough because you have to admit that it really hurts

  • Kel
    Jan 26, 2008 at 2:59 pm

    How is your knee now, Heather? I have suffered dislocated knee problems off and on since I was ten, I’m now in my mid-thirties. (They are more painful as I age, for you younger chicks up there.) You are right about the PT Amie, it is a necessary evil. If this is a recurring issue for you, you will need to keep up with the PT to prevent further serious injury and more pain. And Jade, you are also correct in that the very least the doctors should have given you was some type of sports wrap and told you to rest and ice your knee. Hopefully you’ll not have chronic pain. Good luck to all!

  • Emily
    Apr 7, 2008 at 6:55 pm

    I am just recently 14, and nashad, you have to understand: EVERY KNEE INJURY IS DIFFERENT.
    there are so many different possibilities as to how far a knee can get shoved out of place, how quickly, and how much damage is done in the process. Also, the reasons for the dislocation is very important: for instance, chronic knee instability causes a much different pain than an accident.
    .. Just wanted you to realize that :)
    Sorry to hear, Heather, that sounds really scary!

  • Emily
    Apr 7, 2008 at 6:58 pm

    (I know when I dislocated my knee, there is no way I would have “baret” it, as you guys put it, for another few hours unless there was no other choice. it was excruciating, definitely.)

  • Antonio
    May 1, 2008 at 7:05 pm

    Hey too bad for you hope u feel better and don’t worried i also dislocated my knee yesterday your not alone=). I’m in pain but the good thing is that when i was going to fall my knee got back on it’s place it was really weird that my knee got back in it’s spot but i think i’m ok i already know what to do because I dislocated my my knee 3 yrs ago and i heel but i’m back on this situation I still have to go to the doctor to see if my knee is in good condition or if i need surgery dam i scared.

  • Kate
    May 2, 2008 at 8:19 pm

    I know how you feeel and I am only 13, my right knee has dislocated 4 times in the past year and only today did my left knee dislocate, at school, I was just walking!

    I had to be taken to hospital by the Paramedics (I is English you see) and my knee was put back in but now I’m on crutches and in platser for the next 6 days. Its real unfair cos my mum won’t leave off about my bloody schoolwork (I have exams next week) and I am really down in the dumps. I know how you feel

    Kate

  • Dana
    May 15, 2008 at 11:32 am

    Yesterday my right knee cap dislocated for the 6th time while I was bouncing on the trampoline. It hurt very very bad but I managed to put it back in its place.
    I am now 22 and it happened to me for the first time when I was 10.
    Yesterday it happened again after 6 years! I got so depressed that I lost my confidence to run and work out like a normal person.
    Now, after 20 hours since my injury my knee still hurts and I can’t walk properly.I browsed on the http://www.hollandandbarett.com website (in live in England) and saw that there’s BLUE EASE CREAM (£.9.99) with Emu Oil, MSM, Aloe Vera that soothes joints and I will give it a try.I will also wear a knee elasticated support as I don’t feel confident to walk again.
    My advice for the ones who have their knee caps dislocated is that they should immediate move the knee cap back to it’s place otherwise it will experience horrible pains and it will also lead to complications.
    First time when it happened to me I didn’t know what to do and I called my mum and had to wait for 40 minutes with my knee cap popped until she came back from work and put it back in it’s place.then I was taken to hospital and had X-ray done (they came out well) but my knee had swollen so badly that I couldn’t walk for more than a week.All this wouldn’t have happened if my knee cap was put in place in due time.
    Whether you out it back or a doctor is the same thing, so there is no need to wait until you arrive to the hospital.
    Dana

  • Robin
    May 24, 2008 at 2:59 am

    Dana,

    This is a very serious problem and you need to see an orthapedic surgeon right away, preferably one who specializes in knees.

    Many people suffer knee injuries, but a knee that dislocates repeatedly is something that will not heal itself. Knees that dislocate can be a sign of a cronic hereditary problem that requires surgery. Some of this surgery can only be done on young people, so it is worth finding out if you have a cronic problem.

    If surgery is not a good idea, this problem can sometimes be treated with physical therapy. But the worst thing you can do is nothing, because every time you dislocate your knee you damage cartlidge and possibly ligaments. Cartlidge does not heal itself, which means you can end up with a stiff knee or one that is very unstable if it goes untreated.

    This problem is often heriditary and is worse in women then men. I have suffered with it all my life. At 14 I had major surgery after many injuries. It worked and I thank heaven I went through it though it was very difficult and required a lot of physical therapy. That surgery, which used to be reserved for only the worse cases, is now done on a much wider group of people–but it is only done on very young people.

    I am so sorry to hear about this but PLEASE don’t put this off and don’t take it lightly. Believe me. I know that the pain of dislocation is incredible. Almost no one but someone who has gone through it understands. The fear of injury can become almost as big a problem as the injury itself if this goes on too long.

    So call you doctor tomorrow and see if you can get a referral. Good luck.
    Robin

  • daniel
    May 24, 2008 at 5:37 pm

    i suffer from dislocated knee and i think its the worst pain ever the first time i did it it stayed out of place and a doctor put it back in now i have done it another 6 times it has always gone in by itself but sumtimes i can walk fine in 1 hour and last night i did it and i cannot walk my kneee is swollen and i cannot bend it i hate it i feel your pain to anyone with a dislocated knee x

  • Christopher
    May 26, 2008 at 1:12 am

    i managed to dislocate my knee 3 weeks ago whilst playing cricket. I was batting away and all of a sudden it popped out whilst i was playing a sweep shot (one which involves resting the knee on the ground). luckily for me it popped back in almost immediately. a few seconds at the most. This injury is really quite painful, i gave it an 8 out of 10 when it happened. i was told by doctors that i “got off lightly” as i am now able to walk normally and even jog. A knee support is an essential in my eyes as it does bear a lot of strain, hopefully if all goes to plan i will be playing my first match again next sunday. exactly a month after the accident. chris, 18

  • Caleb
    Jul 5, 2008 at 4:52 pm

    I know this a womans page but thought id share my experience. 3rd practice of my senior year of baseball i screwed up my knee. My cliet caught on the corner of the plate and i ended up tearing my acl, partial tear in my pcl, and a mild miniscus edema. I had to get surgery of course. The road to recovery was long but not too bad. The hardest thing I ever had to do was lift my leg. When I was in the doc’s office to get my staples out, they told me i had to lift my leg before i left. Laying flat on my back with my legs extended i just couldnt do it. My mind would tell my leg to lift up but it wouldnt. It was like i couldnt fiure out how the muscles worked. After a wild I pushed as hard as possible acutally straining a bit…and finally got it off the table. its a long rode, and it sucks, just keep hope and you will be ok.

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