Knee Dislocation

1. Call 911 or Go to the Emergency Room

2. Control Swelling

• Ice the area.

3. Immobilize Dislocation

• Immobilize leg above and below the injured knee. Cardboard, magazines, or other stiff material can be used as splints.
• Do not try to push knee back into its original position. Manipulating a dislocated joint can cause severe injury.

4. Follow Up

• At the hospital, a doctor will realign the joint, perhaps under anesthesia, and assess how much the dislocation has damaged the bones and surrounding tissues and blood vessels.
• Treatment may include stabilizing the knee with splints. Surgery is sometimes necessary.

SOURCES:
UC San Diego Health System: "Knee Injuries and Problems."
Henrichs, A. Journal of Athletic Training, December 2004.
KidsHealth: "Dislocations Instruction Sheet."