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Dislocated kneecap

A dislocated kneecap is where your kneecap (patella) moves out of place. It's usually caused by an injury to the knee. Get medical advice as soon as possible if you think you have a dislocated kneecap.

Urgent advice: Get help from NHS 111 if:

You've injured your knee and:

  • it's very painful
  • it's swollen or bruised
  • you cannot stand up or move your knee
  • you think your kneecap dislocated and then moved back into place

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

Immediate action required: Go to A&E if:

You've injured your knee and:

  • your knee has changed shape
  • it becomes very swollen very quickly
  • you felt a pop or snap in your knee
  • you can see bone sticking out of your skin
  • it's bleeding heavily

Call 999 if you cannot get to A&E because you are unable to move your injured leg due to the pain.

Find your local A&E
Information:

Do not drive to A&E. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

Bring any medicines you take with you.

While you are waiting for medical help

If you think you've dislocated your kneecap, there are some things you can do while waiting for treatment.

Do

  • keep the knee still

  • keep the knee supported with padding while sitting or lying down – you can use rolled-up clothing, towels or cushions

Don't

  • do not raise the affected knee

  • do not try to stand or walk on the affected leg

  • do not try to put the kneecap back into place yourself

Treatment for a dislocated kneecap

A dislocated kneecap often moves back into place by itself.

Even if it does, you will still need to get it checked by a doctor. You will usually need X-rays.

If your kneecap does not go back into place by itself, a doctor may have to move it back. You will be given strong painkilling medicine before this happens to numb any pain.

Surgery may be needed if you have badly damaged your knee. Some people may also need surgery if the knee has dislocated more than once.

After treatment, you'll need to go to follow-up appointments to check your knee is healing properly.

Recovering from a dislocated kneecap

It can take several months to fully recover from a dislocated kneecap, but many people can start walking again as soon as they are treated. If walking is painful, you will be given a crutch for support.

You may be given a knee support to wear to help it heal.

Your doctor or a physiotherapist will show you knee exercises that you should do regularly to help speed up your recovery.

Things you can do to help your recovery

There are some things you can do to help with the recovery of a dislocated kneecap.

Do

  • take painkillers like paracetamol or ibuprofen to help with pain

  • hold an ice pack (or bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a cloth to the knee for about 10 to 15 minutes at a time, and repeat this at least 3 times a day

  • keep your knee and lower leg raised and supported when resting to reduce swelling

  • do knee exercises throughout the day to stop your knee getting stiff

  • stay as active as you can

Don't

  • do not twist your knee

  • do not play sport until your knee has fully recovered its usual strength – your doctor or physiotherapist should be able to give you advice about this

Page last reviewed: 10 March 2026
Next review due: 10 March 2029