Basically while running an errand I managed to dislocate my left knee while clipping in my right foot to push off. I have taken the doctor's advice with ice, rest, elevation and compression.

Has anyone else done this? Outcome? How long off the bike?

_________________
--Max.

how severe of a dislocation was it? do they have you in an immobilizer?

i have dislocated my knees many times to varying degrees. if there is ligament and tendon damage, it can be a long road back with 4-6 weeks immobilization for the joint. even with only a partial dislocation where the patella snaps back in on its own, it generally took me as long anyway.

My patella popped off to the left at which point I fell in the floor. It went back within about 5s. I'm not immobilised, but have a compression thing over my knee. As I did this on Thursday at university the doctor spoke to me over the phone as the campus is big. I'm seeing the physiotherapist on Tuesday.

I don't have any pain really and can walk OK with a stick.

_________________
--Max.

i'd say walk around as little as possible and r.i.c.e. until you can see the doc. a dislocation can tear a lot of things up and make the joint very unhappy. just because you CAN walk on it does not mean you SHOULD. in my unfortunately vast experience with this (~15 dislocations), getting the initial inflammation down is critical, and following the doc and p.t. instructions. fortunately for you, cycling (on a stationary bike) is the best way to rehab it (besides the leg extensions, etc the p.t. will give you).

maybe p.t. has evolved since my last dislocation, but i'm guessing it will be at least a couple of weeks before you can even get on the exercise bike. pushing it too much too soon will set you back. seriously.

Motorthings says it about right. Shouldn't have any long term issues other than a predisposition to do the same again. Medial quad strength will be very important to you in the future. Physiotape is a surprisingly effective and helpful modality when you start moving again.
With your leg straight how mobile is the other knee cap? Lots of people have hypermobile patellas in which case you likely did little damage.

My good patella can move about 1inch either side from centre.

_________________
--Max.

mine are both hypermobile, but have never dislocated without major damage. but I have heard of some lucky bastiges that can just "pop" their kneecap back in place as if nothing happened. i simply cannot imagine doing that, but every body is different, and perhaps i am just that weak and pathetic.

either way, good luck on your recovery...patience is the hardest part.

1 inch is pretty mobile especially laterally.
Sorry about all the difficulties motorthings, not weak and pathetic, just unlucky. Kind of like shoulders, some people just pop them back in, some people have to be sedated and get two burly nurses to help me push back in.
Max, good luck with your rehab.

i'm just going by what my wife says, but i'll let her know.

I saw the physiotherapist today. I seems like I have got lucky and escaped with out any major damage. I wrenched the ligaments on the inside of my knee. She did some massage to get rid of some of the fluid which caused the swelling and did a few stretches on my ITB which was really tight and pulling everything off.

I can now reach full extension again, not quite full bending. She also tape me up with kinesio tape. That keeps everything in check enough that I can now walk almost normally without crutches.

I have some stretches to do to get my quads going again as they have 'disconnected'.
I think I got off lightly because I'm 18 and pretty flexible. I also don't weigh alp lot so didn't put that much force on my ligaments when it went.

Thanks for all of your help. I'll keep you posted.

_________________
--Max.

congratulations!!!

now that you know it is possible, be sure to do whatever strengthening exercises they give you to prevent it from happening again.