Patellar dislocation surgery complications

There are many joints in our body, and dislocation is inevitable. Different treatments are given to different dislocated joints, but sequelae may also occur. There are many postoperative complications of patellar dislocation, which require careful care after the operation. They mainly manifest in various aspects, such as poor knee joint movement and a feeling of being unable to stretch the knee; sometimes inflammation of the patellar cartilage may occur, and it may become a habitual inflammation. Regardless, postoperative care is important.

The sequelae of patellar dislocation surgery mainly include the following aspects:

First , the peripheral pain persists and does not ease, such as due to ligament traction or chronic injury, which causes persistent peripheral pain.

Second, the knee joint has poor mobility, and flexion and extension cannot reach the normal position, causing changes in the joint's range of motion.

Third, due to the change in the position of the patella, patellar chondritis or patellar chondromalacia occurs, which can also cause pain in the front of the patella and lead to obstruction of knee joint movement.

Surgical procedures

① Make an incision along the iliotibial band from the outer lower thigh to the inner side of the tibial tuberosity bend, fully loosen all the contracted tissues on the outside of the patella, make an incision along the outer edge of the patellar tendon and loosen the patellar tendon. The distal end of the vastus lateralis muscle was incised longitudinally, and its distal end was cut off and freed upward. The contracted iliotibial band should be cut and lengthened in a Z shape. The lateral joint capsule and synovium are incised, and the vastus medialis muscle and joint capsule and synovium are incised. Turn the patella over and try to reposition it.

② After removing part of the loose medial joint capsule and synovium, tighten and suture them. Pull the belly of the vastus medialis muscle toward the outer edge of the patella to cover the patella. First suture and fix the soft tissue on the inner edge of the patella to the proximal side of the belly of the vastus medialis muscle. Then the distal end of the vastus medialis muscle is sutured to the outer edge of the patella, and the excess joint capsule and synovium are cut off from the inside to repair the defects of the lateral synovium and joint capsule. The distal end of the vastus lateralis muscle was slightly freed upward and then sutured to the outside of the quadriceps tendon; the iliotibial band and biceps femoris tendon were extended and sutured respectively.

③Suture the incision in layers.

Postoperative complications

Joint capsule defect.

Postoperative Care

After the operation, a plaster brace was used for fixation, and early nursing care began with quadriceps contraction exercises. The plaster brace was removed after 6 weeks, and nursing care exercises for knee flexion and extension were performed, supplemented by physical therapy, and gradually the patient supported crutches to bear weight.

Postoperative diet

Drink plenty of water, fresh fruits and vegetables, and foods high in protein, vitamins and calcium. Do not eat spicy, irritating, or greasy food, and avoid smoking and drinking. Patients should mainly eat light food and try to eat less or no seafood.

Effects of surgery

Restricted knee movement.