Your kneecap moves through a V-shaped groove in your thighbone. If that groove is uneven or isn’t deep enough, your kneecap can slide partly or totally out of place.
If it’s only part of the way out, you’ll get a brace to keep you from moving your knee. Within 1-2 weeks, you’ll start physical therapy to strengthen your thigh muscles. You can expect about 1-3 months for recovery.
If it pops totally out, your doctor will first gently push it back into place. In some cases, you might also need surgery to repair damage to your thighbone or the cartilage behind your knee.
If it keeps happening, you may need surgery to tighten the tendons and help keep your kneecap on track.