Patellar Tracking Disorder: Navigating Knee Instability and Optimizing Recovery

Introduction

Patellar tracking disorder is a condition related to knee movement. It is a common condition caused due to injury to the patella bone. During contact sports like football, hockey, rugby, or soccer, there is a lot of running involved, and the chances of collisions between players are also high. All these conditions are able to cause patellar tracking disorder. Any direct and forceful impact over the knee can also result in patellar tracking disorder. This condition is painful and causes discomfort. Exercise, physical therapy, and surgical therapy are the available treatments.

What Is Patellar Tracking Disorder?

Patiala is a part of the knee. Patellar tracking disorder is also known as patellar maltracking. It is a condition of malalignment of the kneecap. The kneecap is attached to the tibia with the help of the ligament and tendon. In normal conditions of movement, this kneecap glides smoothly in the trochlear groove. Due to accidents, trauma, or injury during sports, the movement of the patella can be malaligned and move either outside or inside of the trochlear groove. It can be treated by exercise, rehabilitation, and surgery. Women and older age people are most commonly affected by patellar tracking disorder.

What Are the Symptoms of Patellar Tracking Disorder?

Symptoms of patellar tracking disorder are listed below -

• Pain and inflammation over the knee increase while exercising and running.

• A sensation of popping, friction, or slipping while bending.

• A feeling of something missing in the knee.

• Discomfort while walking, running, climbing stairs, and walking downstairs.

• In severe cases, dislocation of the patella can be seen.

• The appearance of the bent leg can be noticed.

• Inability to strengthen the leg or bend the knees.

What Are the Causes of Patellar Tracking Disorder?

Patellar tracking disorder can be caused by sudden twisting motions, high-stress impacts, accidents, or injuries during sports. Some causes of patellar tracking disorders are listed below -

• Weak quadriceps muscle (muscles present on the anterior side of thighs).

• Muscle imbalance between anterior and posterior thigh muscles (quadriceps and hamstring).

• Extremely tight or loose connective tissues (ligaments, tendons, and muscles).

• Obesity.

• Valgus, also known as knock knees.

• Flat feet and high-arched feet can cause patellar tracking disorder.

• Increased Q angle between the thigh and shin bone while knee extension can also cause patellar tracking disorder.

• A small trochlear groove or a medical condition such as osteoarthritis can be a reason for patellar tracking disorder.

How to Diagnose Patellar Tracking Disorder?

It is difficult to diagnose patellar tracking disorder because there are many reasons for a knee disorder that shows similar symptoms. Only patellar dislocation shows full visual evidence of disorder. Physical examination, digital examination, and medical history are helpful in the diagnosis of patellar tracking disorder.

• Physical Examination - The doctor will ask to flex the leg and knee. They can ask to walk and perform some exercises to check the knee movements of patients.

• History - The doctor will ask for medical and personal history to know if there are any previous injuries or any medical conditions like osteoarthritis.

• Digital Examination - X-rays and MRIs are helpful in the diagnosis of patellar tracking disorder. A kneecap dislocation or any fracture can be visualized by Digital examination.

• Q- Angle- Q angle is present between the tibia and femur and Is measured by some instruments to diagnose the patellar tracking disorder.

What Are the Treatments for Patellar Tracking Disorder?

There are different treatment modalities available for patellar tracking disorder that include-

• Conservative treatment.

• Physiotherapy.

• Surgical treatment.

• Home-based treatment.

1. Home-based Treatment - Following are the home waste treatment for patellar tracking disorder -

• Rest, plenty of rest for some time helps in decreasing the symptoms of patellar tracking disorder.

• Limited physical activity is advisable for the promotion of healing and faster recovery.

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications ( Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Aspirin). which medicines help relieve pain and swelling.

• Maintaining a healthy weight is helpful in the treatment of patellar tracking disorder.

• Wearing proper shoes during sports helps in better landing and running. In the case of treatment of patellar tracking disorder, it provides support and promotes healing.

• Stretching and strengthening exercises are also helpful in reducing symptoms of patellar tracking disorder.

• Ice application over the knee cap reduces the pain and relieves inflammation.

• Compression with the help of bandages Can be done at home, and it reduces inflammation.

• Knee Taping - This treatment can be done with the help of Kinesio tape (kinesiology tape). It is an adhesive tape that has one rigid end and one flexible end. This kind of tape is commonly used in sports to relieve pain. McConnell's taping technique is also used in the treatment of patellar tracking disorder.

• Physiotherapy - Certified physiotherapists will help in the treatment of patellar tracking disorder. A physiotherapist will provide different exercises for different muscle groups ( like quadriceps and vastus medialis obliquus). Muscle strengthening, Extension and flexion, and improvement of movement come under physiotherapy. The therapist will guide which exercise the patients need to do and what will be the intensity or pressure of the exercises. Overdoing exercises is harmful, and they should be stopped immediately. Physiotherapy helps in improving movement, increasing flexibility, balance, resistance, endurance, and strengthening muscles.

• Surgery - Surgical treatment is not very necessary in the case of patellar tracking disorder. Medial Patellofemoral ligament repair and lateral Retinaculum ligament repair after two surgeries can be done with the help of arthroscopy. It can help in the treatment of dislocated patella.

How to Prevent Patellar Tracking Disorder Pain?

Tips for preventing patellar tracking disorder pain are listed below-

• Regular strength exercises are helpful in pain relief.

• Warm-up before exercise and stretching after exercise helps in the prevention of pain.

• A healthy weight helps in preventing the pain.

• Exercises which help in the improvement of flexibility of the body are also helpful in the prevention of pain.

Conclusion

Patellar tracking disorder is a painful condition of the Patella (the patella is a part of the knee bone). It is caused due to twisting, injury, muscle weakness, muscle imbalance, or accidents. This condition is very common in sports. Women and older people are commonly affected by patellar tracking disorder. Symptoms of this condition include pain, discomfort, loose joints, loose muscles, and kneecap dislocation. Physiotherapy, home-based treatment, and surgery is the available form of treatment for patellar tracking disorder. Most of the cases are treated with home-based treatment, and it rarely needs surgical treatment. Recovery takes six months to one year of time.