A first-time kneecap dislocation doesn’t always mean you’ll need surgery. If your kneecap keeps slipping, gives way, or just doesn’t feel steady after that first injury, you may want to look into MPFL reconstruction in NYC.
At Jonathan L. Glashow, MD, Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine, we’ll start by finding out what’s causing your knee instability before we talk about bracing, rehab, or surgery.
Why Does the Kneecap Keep Slipping Out of Place?
Your kneecap, or patella, usually glides in a groove at the front of your knee. The medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) helps keep it from sliding too far to the outside.
When your kneecap dislocates, the MPFL can stretch or tear. Sometimes, the shape of your knee or alignment issues can also make your kneecap less stable. Patellar instability can stick around even after your kneecap goes back into place.
Pain is important, but instability is an even bigger concern. If your knee buckles, shifts, swells, or makes you hesitate on stairs, at the gym, or during sports, it’s time to take a closer look.
Does Every Dislocated Kneecap Need Surgery?
No. Most first-time kneecap dislocations start with nonsurgical treatment, especially if imaging doesn’t show a major cartilage or bone injury. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends starting with exercises, bracing, and a gradual return to activity.
Early treatment aims to reduce swelling, rebuild strength, and help you regain control of your knee. Imaging, like X-rays, MRI, or CT scans, can help check your ligament, cartilage, bone, and alignment.
Surgery starts to make sense when your knee keeps slipping, or you just can’t trust it anymore.
When Is MPFL Reconstruction Surgery Considered?
We may talk about MPFL reconstruction surgery when the MPFL isn’t keeping your kneecap stable anymore. A medical review of MPFL reconstruction points to repeated patellar dislocations as a clear reason to consider reconstruction, especially if conservative care hasn’t controlled the instability.
Surgery may be considered when:
- The kneecap has dislocated more than once
- The knee gives way during activity
- MRI or CT shows MPFL damage, cartilage injury, or alignment problems
- Bracing and physical therapy haven’t restored dependable stability
- Your sport, work, or daily routine makes repeat instability disruptive
The right plan depends on your anatomy, imaging, cartilage health, prior injuries, and goals. During your evaluation, Dr. Glashow will look for the reason your kneecap isn’t tracking the way it should.
Why Repeated Kneecap Instability Shouldn’t Be Ignored
Even if your kneecap pops back into place, it can still leave damage behind. Repeated dislocations can injure cartilage and make your knee feel unpredictable during cutting, pivoting, running, climbing stairs, or stepping off a curb.
You don’t need to rush into dislocated kneecap surgery, but recurring instability deserves attention from an orthopedic knee surgeon in NYC who understands sports injuries and knee mechanics.
Schedule an MPFL Reconstruction Evaluation in NYC
Dr. Jonathan L. Glashow is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and Clinical Associate Professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine with experience treating knee and sports injuries in NYC. At our Upper East Side practice, he’ll help you decide if MPFL reconstruction in NYC is right for you or if nonsurgical care is still the better option.
If your kneecap keeps slipping or your knee feels unstable after a dislocation, schedule an evaluation with Jonathan L. Glashow, MD, Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine.
