The patella is a bone found in the knee area.
Kneecap is a term from the Latin word rotŭla that refers to a small wheel . The concept is used to name the bone that is located in the front part of the knee and that allows the joint between the tibia and the femur .
With a rounded shape, this bone , which is also known as the patella, is located in front of the lower end of the femur and is part of the quadriceps femoris since it is linked to its terminal tendon .
Experts distinguish several sectors or regions in the patella: this bone has a base , two lateral edges , an apex ( vertex ), a posterior face and an anterior face . The bone structure allows increasing the efficiency of the quadriceps, centralizing its divergent forces.
Thanks to the kneecap it is possible to stand upright, jump, run, jog and walk , among other movements. When the bone is not centered in its rightful place or does not slide correctly along the groove at the end of the femur, the person cannot move normally and experiences pain in their knee .
Patella dislocation
In the case of women, one of the most common injuries they tend to suffer with respect to the kneecap is dislocation . It can arise from different causes, some of the most frequent being both a direct injury and a sudden change of direction when stepping on the ground.
This situation is reflected because the bone moves or leaves its rightful place. In this regard, it is also worth knowing other information of interest:
- The most common symptoms that usually identify that a person suffers from a patella dislocation are swelling of the knee, severe pain in it, palpable deformations in that area of the body and excessive sensitivity in that part.
- It is necessary to go to the doctor so that he can not only see the condition of the knee but also so that he can perform the relevant tests, specifically x-rays, and establish the appropriate diagnosis.
- Among the treatments that exist for this situation, the usual choice is to cast the knee or place a splint on it to prevent that part of the body from moving. And the patient must remain this way for at least three weeks.
- In the event that it is found that the dislocation has not been resolved or that the situation is more serious than initially established, it may end up opting for the patient to undergo surgery.
Various injuries can affect the kneecap.
Other injuries
If the kneecap moves outward due to a sudden blow or deterioration, damage to the patellar cartilage can occur. Another likely injury to the kneecap is a dislocation , which involves the kneecap coming out of the groove of the femur or tilting. In both cases, the result will be the inability to move the leg naturally.
Patella problems can be treated through certain exercises (that help strengthen the muscles around it) or through surgery .