In 6th grade I went to an orthopedic doctor about my knee because I had dislocated in during gym class. I actually didn't know what had happened I just screamed holy hell and fell onto the floor. I feel bad for my poor gym teacher, he didn't know what the hell was going on.
Anyway, turns out, like my mother, I have luxating patellas (yes, both knees). My knee caps float - which is easily noticed because of how much higher they stick out from my knees than a normal person's. Usually during an activity like running, or twisting, or sometimes just placing my foot wrong and making the muscles twist just so...my knee cap slides to the outside of my leg, giving my leg a nice V shape, and down I go. It happens at the most absolute random times I can never expect it. I've done it slipping on ice, walking, standing and turning wrong. It mostly happens with my right knee - has been doing it since I was in elementary school, and still does it now at 32. My left knee was a little more resilient and has only gone out twice. But both of those have been really, really, really bad.
The first time my left knee went out it was a double. We were walking home one night and my right knee went out - I'm guessing from stepping wrong on a cracked sidewalk, I dunno, -and instinctively I shifted my weight to my left leg as my right leg flailed out. Well, then as I shifted weight my left knee went out and down I went to the ground. I pushed my right knee back in, but since it was new for my left, I couldn't get it to slide back. It was out a good 30 seconds (a goddamn eternity) and all my friends could do was stand over me watching in awe and pain and "tell us what to do Dan!" I was about 10 seconds away from having them call an ambulance when it slid back into place. They had to help me hobble home. The left knee has only gone out one other time, it was bad, but not that bad. It still gives me chills just thinking about it. Ugh.
I went back to the orthopedic doctor after the double knee incident, and they gave me a lot more info than when I was younger. He said the ligaments that go over the patella and attach to the bones on top/bottom of the knee, were not straight. they were off to the side, which was why my kneecaps floated/tended toward the outside of my knees. And why they were so prone to be pulled out. I could have surgery to move the ligament attachment points, but would probably need it more than once, so waiting until i was older and it got to be a problem for my mobility was a better idea.
He also said that as I was sitting there on the exam table, just sitting normally like you would in a chair, with my legs hanging over the side, that my knees were technically dislocated. He said he was surprised I had adapted to walk as I was growing up since the knees have obviously been screwy since. My mom has a similar issue, but mine is much worse.
When people with regular knees straighten their leg, the kneecap basically stays still and maybe sinks into the socket a little. When I straight my leg my kneecap slides to the outside, but is also mobile and I can push it side to side.
I'll take some pics maybe. I always impress/gross out people when I show them
