A kneecap dislocation is every bit as painful as it sounds. For this reason, you hope to never find yourself dealing with this injury in the future.
Unfortunately, there could come a time when you suffer a kneecap dislocation, such as if you fall at your place of employment.
There are many common signs and symptoms of this injury, including but not limited to:
- Inability to straighten your knee
- Knee deformity
- Knee swelling
- Pain and tenderness
- Inability to walk or put any weight on your knee
If you think you have a dislocated knee, here are some of the first aid steps to take:
- Stay where you are and don’t attempt to put weight on your knee
- Seek immediate medical attention
- Learn more about your injury by getting an x-ray or MRI
The most important thing is that you receive immediate treatment, as you can’t afford to ignore this injury. Doing so can make things worse on you in the long run, often leading to additional injuries.
Depending on the severity of your injury, you may require surgery and/or physical therapy.
If you suffered your kneecap dislocation on the job and are unable to return to work in the near future, you should consider filing a claim for ‘ benefits. This will not replace your entire salary, but it will go a long way in giving you some financial security during this difficult time.
You only have so long to file your claim for benefits, so don’t wait around to take the first step in doing so.
Source: MedLine Plus, “Kneecap dislocation,” accessed Dec. 15, 2017