The kneecap (patella) can sometimes dislocate out of its position in the middle of the knee, usually to the outer side. This injury can then result in kneecap instability, or repeated dislocations. This instability can be frustrating and dangerous, as patients never know when their knee will “give out.” Sometimes, a dislocation can be successfully treated with a brace. Other times, however, the dislocation requires surgery to rebuild the ligaments that stabilize the kneecap. A cartilage injury to the kneecap may also have occurred during the dislocation, and these injuries are also treated as part of the same surgery.
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