okay so i dislocated my knee cap 4 years ago when i was attempting a backflip my sister wanted me to learn. I heard three loud pops and it swelled really bad. The doctor told me i should experience a full recovery.

Well, i swim, bike, and run alot so i noticed i did not experience a full recovery. My knee is visibly deformed when i stand because my knee cap drops about a finger width lower than the other knee cap and bulges out so it looks swollen but it is not. The reason is i stretched the surrounding structures in my knee so my knee cap falls down and its also very hypermobile. Besides the visible deformity my knee feels funny when im doing sports. It feels wobbly or loose and i cant get much power out of my kick in swimming and in biking with high resistance or pedal speed. So i guess its impacting my sport performance more than my actual health. Although it aches occasionely i dont notice any "pain". The aching comes and goes.

So i have a few questions. Since i am very active should i consider a surgery or not? If i get surgery they may try to tighten the surrounding ligaments and tendons to keep my kneecap in place. The surgery may or may not give me the results i have been wanting and i will have to take a few months up to a year off of sports for full recovery. If i do nothing then my knee will stay the same and i may risk osteoarthritis since my knee is sliding around damaging cartilage and stuff like that. They told me that the surgery may make it better or worse. I think one positive side would be more power and less risk of osteoarthritis but the down side would be a long recovery, possible no outcome, and very expensive on my part.

Also if im not experincing pain should i continue my active lifestyle or could i be potentially damaging my knee? My knee feels funny like loose but it doesnt hurt so i assumed i should keep doing what im doing.

Ideas anyone?

you shouldnt take in our responses into consideration. If you want the surgery then thats your decision. Personally I would see a doctor about your knee and ask about your active lifestyle.

yeah, i would go to a doctor.

i am doing lots of physical activities and extreme sports. (i snowboard, and that was just rated as the sport that causes the most injuries a year or something). I've injured pretty much every part of my body, but ive hurt my legs the most. I was having constant problems and pains, even after they healed. I wen to a doctor. Luckily it wasn't serious, but he gave me some stretches and tips on how to stay healthy

If you really aren't happy with the way it looks i suggest having surgery.

But if you really don't want to take time out of your sports then don't.

I guess you have to make a sacrifice.

xx

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