Kneecap dislocation
A dislocated kneecap is a common injury that normally takes about six weeks to heal.
It's often caused by a blow or a sudden change in direction when the leg is planted on the ground, such as duringsports or dancing.
The kneecap (patella) normally sits over the front of the knee. It glides over a groove in the joint when you bend or straighten your leg.
When the kneecap dislocates, it comes out of thisgroove andthe supporting tissues can be stretched or torn.
This page covers:
Read about the symptoms of a dislocated kneecap, what to do and how long it usually takes to recover.
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
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
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
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