The knee joint is the largest in the human body, making everyday movement such as walking and sitting possible. The patella or kneecap sits in front of a joint formed with the thigh and shin bones. A luxated patella is one that is dislocated and somehow moved from its normal location in the body. Oftentimes, surgery is necessary to correct this condition. Diet provides a supportive function by helping the body to heal.
Knee Anatomy
A collection of ligaments anchor the knee in place. A ligament is a type of connective tissue that connects one bone to another versus a tendon, which connects a muscle to a bone. The patella is held in place in part by the patellar ligament, which extends from the patella to the tibia bone or shin bone. Other connective tissue extends from the femur or thigh bone. A groove along the front of the femur accommodates the movement of the knee.
Effects
A luxated patella may occur because of a structural defect of the femur. A fall or injury may also move the knee out of place, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. The result is stiffness and swelling of the knee joint. You may have difficulty walking. Increased activity may aggravate the pain associated with a luxated patella. Athletes are especially vulnerable to this type of injury.
Benefits
A healthy diet will help protect your body by providing the necessary nutrients for growth and energy production. Diet will be a part of complementary treatment for a luxated patella by supporting metabolism. The ligaments and tendons surrounding the knee joint are not highly vascularized. This means they contain fewer blood vessels than other types of tissue. Thus, healing is slower than other tissues due to the reduced amount of circulation. To aid heal, your diet should provide the nutrients necessary for metabolism such as vitamins A, B2, niacin and pantothenic acid. Calcium and magnesium also support metabolism.
Treatment
If you are not active, you may avoid surgery on your knee if you can still get around sufficiently. A healthy diet will help control your weight, which will prevent additional stress on your knees. The composition of your diet also plays a role. A diet high in protein will help your body build muscle mass for increasing strength in your legs following a period of recovery or as part of your physical therapy. In addition, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends that your diet is low in salt and cholesterol.
Prevention/Solution
To keep your knees injury free, your diet will provide the necessary nutrients for healthy bone growth. This includes a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D. The latter is necessary so that your body can absorb and use calcium. Good sources include soy drinks, tofu and fortified, ready-to-eat cereals. Ideally, your diet should provide 1,000 mg of calcium each day.
References
- "Principles of Anatomy and Physiology"; G. Tortora et al; 2005
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Unstable Kneecap
- Elmhurst College: Overview of Metabolism
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Nutrition
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Appendix B. Food Sources for Selected Nutrients
