Kneecap dislocation
Treatment for a dislocated kneecap
Ifyour kneecap hasn't corrected itself by the time you get to hospital, a doctor will manipulate it back into place. This is known as a reduction.
You may be given medication to ensure you're relaxed and free from pain while this is done.
Oncethe kneecap isback in place, you may have an X-ray to check the bones are in the correct position and there's no other damage.
You'll be sent home with painkillers and your leg will normally be immobilised in aremovable splint to begin with. A few weeks of physiotherapy will be recommended to aid your recovery.
Surgery is usually only necessary if there was a fracture or another associated injury, such as a ligament tear. It may alsobedone if you have dislocated your kneecap at least once before.
See your GP ifthis doesn't control the pain.
During the first few days, you can help reduce any swelling by keeping your leg elevated when sitting and holding an ice pack to your knee for 10 to 15 minutes every few hours.
Aphysiotherapist will teach you some exercisesto do at home to strengthen the muscles that stabilise your kneecap and improve the movement of your knee.
The splint should only be kept on for comfort and should be removed to do these exercises as soon as you're able to move your leg.
It usuallytakes about six weeks to fully recover from a dislocated kneecap, although sometimes itcantakea bit longer to return to sports or other strenuous activities.
Ask your GP, consultant or physiotherapist for advice about returning to your normal activities.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
Read about the symptoms of a dislocated kneecap, what to do and how long it usually takes to recover.
Symptoms of a dislocated kneecap
When a kneecap dislocates, it will usually look out of place or at an odd angle. But in many cases it will pop back into place soon afterwards. Othersymptoms can include: a "popping" sensation se
What to do if you dislocate your kneecap
A dislocated kneecap isn't usually serious and will often pop back into place by itself. But it's still a good idea to get it checked by a health professional: if your kneecap has gone back into p
Treatment for a dislocated kneecap
Ifyour kneecap hasn't corrected itself by the time you get to hospital, a doctor will manipulate it back into place. This is known as a reduction. You may be given medication to ensure you're relaxed
If you keep dislocating your kneecap
Most people who dislocate their kneecap won't dislocate it again. But in some people it can keep happening. This often occurs if the tissues that support the kneecap are weak or loose, such as in peo
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