Lindsey patellar dislocation

Occasionally, Lindsey and Christopher go over to the elementary school near our house to walk or run on the track. This evening, the kids wanted to take a little evening stroll, so I drove them to the track, parked the car, and oddly, this was first time I'd actually stayed while they ran. I decided to work on cutting out stamp sets while they got a bit of physical activity in. After they'd been around the track a few times, Christopher came running up to me yelling frantically, pointing toward Lindsey, screaming that she'd fallen and was hurt. I jumped out of the car, ran over to where she was lying on the ground, hysterically screaming from pain, as she told me her knee had popped out of place. She was literally screaming her head off, which is unlike her. I could tell she was in pain.

I ran back to the car to move it closer to where she was and called my sister-in-law, Debbie, a physical therapist, and told her quickly I had an emergency and needed her help. I didn't know what to do. Should I call 911? Should I try to take her home? Impossible, she couldn't even move! She was lying there on the cold ground in shorts and her I {heart} NY t-shirt, completely helpless, and I wanted to do the right thing to help my child. This was a deja vu moment, like when I saw her forehead pierced with a needle to numb it for the stitches last week, as I squirmed uncomfortably to observe the other needle sinking into her flesh for adding the sutures. It killed me to watch, but I kept it all inside and wanted to scream as I was holding her hand. But I didn't. So, here we go again. I was freaking out, and wanted to help Lindsey, not cause more horror for the poor girl, so I kept my emotions in check. That's a tall order in and of itself. Yes, I'm a basket case with my feelings.

Debbie told me I could carefully press on the knee and try to maneuver her kneecap, to gently slide it back into place. I looked at it and it appeared to be totally off to the side. It was so bizarre looking, and clearly dislocated. I wasn't sure I could handle it. I handed the phone to Christopher, who quickly told me he just said three quick prayers and felt like we should call 911. Just then, I put my hands on her knee and tried to do exactly as Debbie had instructed, applied a little bit of pressure, then it popped back in place and Lindsey felt relieved. Then she said, "Thanks, Mom," and we both stood up and sobbed in each other's arms. I held her up, and helped her to the car. It was freaky. It scared me to death. I'm such a non-doctor type of person, but it's always amazing to me how the maternal instincts kick in when your child is in distress. It's truly one of the most incredible phenomenons I've ever seen or experienced.

The irony is that I had just emailed Amanda about this subject earlier today, expressing these same feelings, regarding an incident she'd gone through when the safety of her baby was involved.

As the three of us got home, after icing Lindsey's knee and getting her comfortably situated, we bowed our heads and thanked our loving Father in heaven, for being there for us in a time of distress. Again, I'm counting my blessings that she's okay. I've had enough trauma with her to last me a while! From the knee cap, to the stitches in her head, to the recent car wreck, that should be enough! The prayers will continue!

So here's what I just came across on the Internet regarding this situation. Aunt Debbie is going to give us some exercises for her to do to strengthen her knee and leg, and I'll schedule an appointment with a doctor tomorrow too.

• Patellar dislocation: the patella, or knee cap, becomes dislocated in children (usually girls) with this condition. While the knee cap usually easily moves back into place, it will probably continue to slip out of place without treatment, which consists of immobilization while the knee is extended for about six weeks and quadriceps strengthening exercises for rehabilitation.