The jumping, tumbling and balancing in gymnastics requires flexibility and strength, especially with your knees. According to a 2004 "Journal of Athletic Training" article, an awkward landing or fall causing the knee to hyperextend or twist can result in a dislocated knee. Symptoms include pain, swelling and an inability to move your knee. Seek medical attention immediately following a knee or kneecap dislocation.
Causes and Risk Factors
A fall off the balance beam, an awkward landing or a fall while dismounting the vault or parallel bars can lead to a knee or kneecap dislocation. A dislocation of your kneecap or patella is when your kneecap comes out of its normal groove, called the femoral groove. A dislocated knee joint happens when your thighbone and shinbone no longer line up at your knee joint. Your shinbone can be displaced in front of, behind, or to the left or right of your thighbone when dislocated. Risk factors include weak leg muscles, joint instability, muscle fatigue and inadequate training or poor technique, especially with landings.
Symptoms and Signs
Immediate symptoms are pain, inability to move your knee and swelling. You may also experience some numbness or tingling around your knee and down into your leg and foot. This is caused by damage or pinching of nerves, blood vessels or both. Within the first 24 hours, bruising, joint stiffness and muscle weakness may develop. A key sign of a knee or kneecap dislocation is gross deformity caused by the displacement of either your kneecap or shinbone.
Treatment
The first step in your treatment is getting your knee or kneecap back into alignment. Only a trained medical professional like a physician or surgery should re-align your knee. Once your knee or kneecap is back into place, rest, ice, wear a compression wrap and elevate your leg above your heart. Take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDS like ibuprofen to further manage your pain and swelling. Depending on the severity of the dislocation, you may need to wear a knee brace and use crutches when you are walking. Because a dislocated knee or kneecap can cause torn ligaments and cartilage in your knee, your physician may recommend surgery to repair them. Otherwise, physical therapy will be necessary to manage pain and swelling and also to regain flexibility, strength and stability.
Prevention
You need lots of muscle flexibility and joint mobility in gymnastics. To prevent injuries like knee dislocations, you also need to maintain muscle strength and joint stability. Therefore, include strength exercises like squats and stability exercises such as single-leg balance on a wobble board in your weekly training routine. Practice your gymnastic routines with a spotter and correct any improper techniques like the timing of your landing as well. Lastly, make sure equipment is well maintained and mats are placed around and under equipment.
References
- "British Journal of Sports Medicine;" Occurrence of Acute Lower Limb Injuries in Artistic Gymnasts in Relation to Event and Exercise Phase; P. Kirialanis; 2003
- "Journal of Athletic Training;" A Review of Knee Dislocations; Andrew Henrichs; 2004
- Cedars-Sinai: Kneecap (Patellar) Dislocation
- University of Kentucky HealthCare; Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction; December 2009
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; Gymnastics Injury Prevention; September 2009
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