A dislocated knee, whether it involves the kneecap (patellar) or the main joint (tibiofemoral), is a severe injury requiring immediate medical attention for reduction and stabilization. Initial medical intervention addresses only the acute trauma, leaving a long and involved recovery process ahead. Successfully navigating this journey requires understanding the expected physical challenges, the necessity of therapeutic intervention, and the long-term commitment needed to restore full function. A structured approach to healing is universally necessary to ensure a stable and functional return to daily life.
Immediate Post-Treatment Expectations
The first few days following reduction and stabilization will involve significant discomfort and swelling due to trauma to the joint capsule and surrounding soft tissues. Healthcare providers will prescribe pain medication, which may include narcotics for severe initial pain, to manage this acute phase. Anti-inflammatory medications are often included in the regimen to help control the inflammatory response.
Controlling immediate swelling is a primary focus and involves consistently elevating the leg above heart level to encourage fluid drainage. Applying a cold pack for 15 to 20 minutes several times a day will also minimize local swelling and provide short-term pain relief. The knee will typically be immobilized in a brace, splint, or cast to protect damaged ligaments and soft tissues from further strain during initial healing. Patients are advised to use crutches to avoid putting weight on the injured leg, though some protocols allow for weight-bearing as tolerated while wearing a full immobilizer.
The Necessity of Physical Rehabilitation
Physical rehabilitation is necessary for achieving a successful outcome, as the dislocation causes extensive damage to the passive and active stabilizers of the joint. The primary goal of therapy is to strengthen the musculature surrounding the knee, particularly the quadriceps, hamstrings, and hip muscles, to create dynamic stability that compensates for injured ligaments. This process begins with regaining a functional range of motion (ROM), often starting with gentle passive movements. Combating stiffness is a common complication after knee trauma.
Rehabilitation progresses through structured phases, moving from controlled passive and active-assisted movement to active exercises and eventual resistance training. Early exercises focus on restoring full knee extension, which is fundamental for a normal walking pattern and preventing long-term contracture. Later phases introduce exercises aimed at improving proprioception, which is the body’s sense of joint position and movement. This training is vital because the initial injury often compromises nerve endings within damaged ligaments, requiring the patient to re-teach the body how to balance and react to uneven surfaces.
The final stage of rehabilitation incorporates functional training, where activities mimic the demands of daily life and sport, such as jumping, pivoting, and running. Adherence to this structured program is required to ensure the injured knee’s strength and stability match that of the uninjured leg before clearance for high-demand activities. A lack of commitment significantly increases the risk of chronic instability and subsequent re-injury.
Key Recovery Timelines and Functional Milestones
Recovery timelines depend on the injury’s severity and whether surgical repair was required, but a full recovery often spans several months. Within the first few weeks, the focus remains on pain management and achieving full knee extension; the brace is worn for the first two to six weeks. Weight-bearing may begin as tolerated within the first two weeks while using an immobilizer, transitioning to a functional brace as quadriceps control improves.
A significant milestone is often reached between six and eight weeks, when most individuals can return to normal daily activities, such as walking without crutches and performing light work duties. Returning to driving usually occurs once the patient is off crutches, can fully bear weight, and can quickly move their foot between the gas and brake pedals without hesitation or pain. For high-demand activities, such as sports involving pivoting, jumping, or contact, a return-to-play clearance generally takes three to six months or longer. This prolonged period ensures the knee has fully restored strength, range of motion, and stability to minimize the risk of re-dislocation.
Recognizing Signs of Complication
While a structured rehabilitation plan leads to a good outcome for most patients, monitoring for specific warning signs of complications is necessary throughout the recovery period. A sudden, severe increase in pain not alleviated by rest or medication, or the return of swelling after it had subsided, may indicate a setback or a new issue within the joint. Signs of infection require immediate medical attention and include fever, spreading redness around the incision or injury site, or pus draining from any open wound.
A persistent numbness or tingling sensation below the knee, or the inability to move the ankle or foot, could signal a nerve injury that requires urgent evaluation. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a serious risk; symptoms include disproportionate calf pain, tenderness, warmth, or swelling in the lower leg. Any feeling of the knee “giving way” or locking again suggests possible instability or re-dislocation, requiring immediate follow-up with the orthopedic specialist.