Surgery is considered appropriate only for chronic and severe cases of patellar dislocation and select cases of chronic patellar tracking disorder. Surgery can be used to realign the kneecap and restore normal patellar tracking and to repair knee damage.

Surgery Choices

The type of surgery that is appropriate for you depends on the type of tracking disorder you have and its cause. Surgeries for patellar tracking disorder include:

• Tibial tubercle osteotomy for when the quadriceps muscles are pulling at an angle that can pull the patella out toward the side.
• Medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) repair for patellar dislocation.
• Lateral release for a tight lateral retinaculum that is pulling the patella off track. See a picture of the ligaments of the knee.
• Arthroscopy for cartilage damage.

What To Think About

Surgeons use different procedures for repairing knee problems. The procedure used depends on the cause of your knee problem and your surgeon's experience.

Having knee surgery for patellar tracking problems increases your risk of developing osteoarthritis.²

Some surgeons think it best in some cases to repair knee damage immediately after a first patellar dislocation. Other surgeons will wait until they see a recurrent problem.

Although surgery for dislocation offers a good chance that the patella will no longer dislocate, many people continue to have pain after surgery.³ There is no proof that surgery to make the knee joint more stable will prevent long-term joint changes such as osteoarthritis.²