Knee Pain Relief : Patellar Subluxation - a Knee Brace Can Help

There are a number of problems that can strike theflexors is crucial to controlling the motion of the
knee, but few are as painful as patellar subluxation.kneecap. This is accomplished using a range of pelvic
Read on for information regarding this painful kneestabilization exercises, which help to strengthen the
issue and how to help treat it.muscles and support your knee.
The trochlea is a groove on the thigh bone (femur)Your Shoes
that is essential for knee movement. The kneecapTake a look at your footwear. Improper shoes can
moves along this grove, which allows for your kneepromote an abnormal gait. Making sure that you have
to bend in a proper manner. Unfortunately,decent footwear can both help control your gait, and
sometimes the kneecap does not move properly inlessen the tension on your knee.
the groove, which can lead to problems. In someUsing A Knee Brace
cases, the knee leaves the groove altogether, whichUsing a knee brace can help provide knee support
results in knee dislocation. In others it just slidesand to lessen the pain. There are knee braces that
improperly, which can cause pain or discomfort forhelp control the knee cap, so it does not deviate
the patient.from its course along the trochlea. The knee
Although patellar subluxations can affect anyone ofsupports can be very helpful in reducing knee pain as
us, adolescents and young children usually are thewell.
ones to suffer. There are a number of reasons whySurgery
someone may get patellar subluxation, including beingIn some cases, the above treatment options may
born with a groove that is too shallow, a wide pelvisnot work in the long term, and surgery may be
or abnormalities in ones gait.required. In most cases surgery is not needed, but if
A doctor will typically take X-rays of the knee toyour knee constantly gets dislocated or you are in
assess the damage. If the knee cap has deviatedsevere pain a lot of the time, there may be no other
from the grove, the knee will have to be realigned. Ifoption.
the knee is still within the groove, there are aPatellar subluxation can cause other problems with
number of other treatment options available.the knee to occur. For instance, osteoarthritis can be
Therapycaused by patellar subluxation, which is why
Physical therapy is commonly used to treat patellarconsulting your physician is a wise decision if you are
subluxation. Strengthening the hip abductors and hipexperiencing knee pain.