My teenager dislocated their kneecap. Is it different in young people?

Why teenagers are affected so often

Kneecap dislocations peak during the teenage years. Growth spurts temporarily change muscle length and control, many young people are naturally more flexible, and school sport, football, basketball, gymnastics and dance all involve pivoting on a bent knee. Girls are affected slightly more often, partly because of differences in alignment and ligament laxity.

When a young person has a shallow groove or a high-riding kneecap, the first dislocation can happen with surprisingly little force.

What parents should do

• After the first episode, arrange a review with X-rays and usually an MRI, even if your child says it feels fine
• Watch for rapid swelling, locking or catching, which may mean a loose fragment
• Support the home exercise programme; teenagers often stop once the pain settles
• Let the school PE teacher or coach know about a phased return
• Seek help if your child is avoiding sport or stairs out of fear

Surgery in a growing knee

If the kneecap keeps dislocating, or a fragment needs to be fixed, surgery may be recommended. In patients who are still growing, the growth plates near the knee must be protected. MPFL reconstruction can be done with techniques that place fixation away from them, and bony realignment operations are usually postponed until growth has finished.

An X-ray of the knee, and sometimes the hand, helps estimate how much growth remains.

A family consultation in Doha

At Aman Hospital, Dr. Gelber sees young patients with a parent present, examines both knees, reviews the imaging and explains the options in plain language for the teenager as well as the family. The aim is a plan that fits school, sport and growth, and gives a safe route back to activity.