Patellar dislocation

Patellar dislocation refers to dislocation of either patella (knee cap).

Note:  The SOP requirement does not currently indicate that the patellar dislocation must be to the same knee as the knee affected with chondromalacia patella.  It is expected that the RMA will issue an amendment to clarify the intent here that they must be the same knee in early 2011.

Symptoms and signs of knee dislocation

There would most likely be visual signs of the displacement, swelling, and impaired mobility of the knee, with symptoms of pain 'inside the knee cap'.  The leg would also have a tendency to flex even when relaxed.

Establishing the clinical onset of dislocation

In most cases, if the person had a dislocation he or she would have needed medical attention at that time.  Such medical treatment would normally be recorded in doctors' notes and/or hospital records.  However, these records may have been destroyed or can no longer be obtained.  In addition, it is possible that in some cases the person may not have sought immediate medical attention for a dislocation.  Therefore, if there is a reliable history of appropriate symptoms at a particular time this generally will be accepted, unless there is contradictory evidence.  Seek medical advice if it is unclear whether the claimed symptoms and treatment at that time can be attributed to dislocation of the patella rather than to some other condition.

Last reviewed for CCPS 16 June 2014.

Preliminary questions [42034]

41999 there is some evidence that patellar dislocation may be a factor in the development of the condition under consideration.

42017  the veteran had a patellar dislocation at some time.

42159   the veteran had a congenital dislocation of patella at some time.

or

42160   the veteran had a traumatic dislocation of patella at some time.

42012 the veteran had the patellar dislocation to side and site of the body at some time.

42035  the veteran has established the causal connection between the patellar dislocation and VEA service for the condition under consideration.

42036   the veteran has established the causal connection between this patellar dislocation and VEA service for the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

42038  the veteran has established the causal connection between this patellar dislocation and eligible service for the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

or

42039  the veteran has established the causal connection between this patellar dislocation and operational service for the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

or

7334     the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred after the end of the veteran's last period of VEA service.

7335     the condition under consideration permanently worsened.

42037   the veteran has established the causal connection between this patellar dislocation and VEA service for the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

42040  the veteran has established the causal connection between this patellar dislocation and eligible service for the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

or

42041  the veteran has established the causal connection between this patellar dislocation and operational service for the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

Clinical onset and operational service [42039]

41990 the veteran had the patellar dislocation to side and site of the body within the six months before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

42006  the identified illness or injury, a type of patellar dislocation, is causally related to operational service.

Clinical onset and eligible service [42038]

41996 the veteran had the patellar dislocation to side and site of the body within the three months before the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.

42007  the identified illness or injury, a type of patellar dislocation, is causally related to eligible service.

Clinical worsening and operational service [42041]

42005 the veteran had the patellar dislocation to side and site of the body within the six months before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

42006  the identified illness or injury, a type of patellar dislocation, is causally related to operational service.

42157 the clinical onset of the chondromalacia patella occurred prior to that part of operational service to which the patellar dislocation of side and site of the body is causally related.

Clinical worsening and eligible service [42040]

42015 the veteran had the patellar dislocation to side and site of the body within the three months before the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration.

42007  the identified illness or injury, a type of patellar dislocation, is causally related to eligible service.

42003 the clinical onset of the chondromalacia patella occurred prior to that part of eligible service to which the patellar dislocation of side and site of the body is causally related.