Recurrent patella dislocation

Patella dislocation occurs when the kneecap (patella) pops out of its bony groove on the front lower end of the thigh bone (femur) so it is completely out of its normal position and usually spontaneously goes back into place when the knee is straightened.

In most cases, the patella is dislocated in a direction towards the outside of the knee. It is often associated with tearing of soft tissues around the knee, including tough fibrous bands (patella retinaculum) and the front thigh (quadriceps) muscles, which are the are the main structures keeping the patella firmly  in its place.

Patella subluxation is minor momentary dislocation that immediately goes back into place and is not associated with major soft tissue injury.

If the predisposing factors are not adequately addressed the chances of having further dislocations are high. Predisposing factors include, poor functional alignment of the hip, knee, patella, foot and ankle, caused by a number of changeable factors such as weak and/or overly tight muscle or the way the lower limb is used, and less commonly, a person’s anatomy such as depth of the bony groove in the femur, the shape of the kneecap and the shape of the leg bones.