Knee

What It Is

A patella dislocation is an uncommon and quite serious injury. It occurs when the kneecap (patella) moves out of its normal groove at the end of the thigh bone (femur). Patellar dislocations often result from a non-contact injury, such as a pivot, twist or awkward fall. A sharp blow to the kneecap can also knock it out of place (AAOS, n.d.).

This condition is often confused with subluxation, but they are not the same thing. A subluxation is only a partial dislocation, and the kneecap often goes back to its normal position very soon after the injury.

After a first dislocation, the kneecap can dislocate again, because the tissues that hold it in place, such as the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL), may have been damaged (AAOS, n.d.). About 1 in 4 people have further problems with the kneecap moving out of place after a first dislocation (Blønd et al., 2025). Non-surgical treatment of a first dislocation often gives good results with a relatively low chance of it happening again (AAOS, n.d.).

Warning signs: if your kneecap has moved out of place and has not gone back by itself, do not try to push it back yourself. Call 911 or go to the emergency room at your nearest hospital, where a doctor can put it back safely (AAOS, n.d.).

Patella Dislocation Anatomy

The kneecap is known as the patella, meaning "little pan". It is a sesamoid bone, meaning it sits within a tendon (the tendon of the large thigh muscles), and it is the largest sesamoid bone in the body. There are two facets (surfaces) under the patella that glide against the thigh bone. Cartilage covers these surfaces, and this joint is known as the patellofemoral joint. This is the joint that may become dislocated as the patella moves out of its groove.

Surrounding the patella is the retinaculum, a sheath of tissue that helps hold the patella in place and allows the quadriceps muscle group to blend into the patella. One important part of this is the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL), on the inside of the knee, which stops the patella moving too far sideways (AAOS, n.d.).

Most patella dislocations occur laterally, so the patella moves to the outside of the knee.

Not a diagnosis — for more information, contact me or another trusted healthcare provider.

Treatment

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat a Patella Dislocation

Exercise-based rehabilitation to strengthen the muscles in your thigh so the kneecap stays aligned, including cycling, is part of non-surgical treatment (AAOS, n.d.). Once a doctor has checked your knee, I can support this with a strengthening programme and hands-on work for the thigh and knee. See the My Approach tab for how I work.

1. Non-Surgical

If the kneecap has come completely out of its groove, the first step is to get it back into place. This is called reduction. Sometimes it goes back on its own; other times a doctor has to apply gentle force to push it back (AAOS, n.d.).

For a first-time dislocation, non-surgical treatment is usually recommended, with a gradual return to sport (AAOS, n.d.). Physiotherapy is an essential part of recovery (Balcarek et al., 2025). A doctor may also prescribe a stabilising brace (AAOS, n.d.).

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor or nurse practitioner

Surgery is usually considered if the kneecap keeps dislocating, or for some very high-risk first dislocations (AAOS, n.d.).

Options outside my scope

MPFL reconstruction: an operation to rebuild the ligament on the inside of the knee that stops the kneecap moving too far sideways, usually using a tendon graft. This is the preferred stabilising operation in current expert guidance (Balcarek et al., 2025).
Other procedures: operations to correct poor bony alignment or reshape the groove that the kneecap runs in (AAOS, n.d.).

How I can help (see the My Approach tab)

Thigh strengthening and cycling, built up gradually

Hands-on work for stiffness and the muscles working overtime

A gradual return to sport once your medical team agrees

Tips

In the first few days, rest your leg but keep your knee gently moving so it does not get stiff. You may walk on your leg as comfort allows (University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, 2025).
A cold pack (an ice pack or frozen peas wrapped in a damp towel) can give short-term pain relief. Apply it to the sore area for up to 15 minutes every few hours, and never put ice directly on the skin. Raise your ankle above the level of your hips to reduce swelling (University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, 2025).
If the hospital gives you a splint, brace or crutches, follow their advice on how to use them.
A kneecap dislocation usually takes around six to twelve weeks to heal (University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, 2025).
Physical therapy can help you to regain movement and strength in the knee. Strengthening the muscles around the knee is an important part of reducing the chance of another dislocation. I can help you with this strengthening too (see the My Approach tab).

Treatment

My Approach

After a kneecap dislocation, the tissues on the inside of the knee need time to heal, and the thigh muscles often switch off while the knee is sore. Your doctor or hospital team decides on any brace, crutches or surgery, and I work inside their advice. Once a doctor has checked your knee and you're managing your daily tasks, we can usually start; after surgery, I need your surgeon's okay before any hands-on treatment.

Early On

Easing your hips, back and other leg, and your shoulders and arms if you're on crutches
Gentle lymphatic drainage above the knee for swelling, with raising the leg and ice at home
Thigh tightening and gentle, pain-free knee movement within any brace limits
I never push or mobilise the kneecap towards the outside

Rebuilding

Hands-on work for the thigh, hamstrings and calf, and scar work once any surgical wound has healed
Strength before range: thigh strengthening from holds to step-ups, mini-squats and gym-based work
Stationary cycling and balance work, then a gradual return to sport once your medical team agrees
Short-term taping for sport, and I'll show you how to tape it yourself

If your kneecap comes out and doesn't go back, don't push it back yourself: call 911 or go to the emergency room.

What to Expect

Typical Course

Typical course: Most people come once or twice a week at first, then weekly, with a reassessment at about 4 to 6 weeks, then less often. A kneecap dislocation usually takes around six to twelve weeks to heal, and your return to sport follows your medical team's advice.

What I Focus On

Working Within Your Team's Limits

Swelling & Compensation Relief

Kneecap Protection

Thigh Strength

Gradual Return to Sport

Sources

References

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) (n.d.) Patellar (kneecap) instability. OrthoInfo. Available at: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/unstable-kneecap/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (2025) Dislocation of your patella (kneecap) follow up. Patient information leaflet. Available at: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Dislocation-of-your-patella-kneecap-follow-up.pdf (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
Blønd, L. et al. (2025) 'Management of first-time patellar dislocation: the ESSKA 2024 formal consensus – Part 1', Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy, 33(5), pp. 1925–1932. doi: 10.1002/ksa.12620. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12022820/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
Balcarek, P. et al. (2025) 'Management of first-time patellar dislocation: the ESSKA 2024 formal consensus – Part 2', Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy, 33(12), pp. 4197–4206. doi: 10.1002/ksa.12637. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12684363/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooPatella Dislocation

What It Is

Patella Dislocation Anatomy

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat a Patella Dislocation

1. Non-Surgical

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor or nurse practitioner

Tips

My Approach

Early On

Rebuilding

Typical Course

References

Related Conditions

Book a session

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooPatella Dislocation

What It Is

Patella Dislocation Anatomy

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat a Patella Dislocation

1. Non-Surgical

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor or nurse practitioner

Tips

My Approach

Early On

Rebuilding

Typical Course

References

Related Conditions

Patellar Instability

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rupture and Reconstruction

Discoid Meniscus

Patellar Fracture

Book a session