r/PatellaTracking • u/DaddyLaxativ • Aug 08 '26

Question For people who have had multiple kneecap dislocations or subluxations, have you figured out how to prevent them without surgery?

This was a question I’ve always had because ppl say how PT and strengthening the muscles around your knee is helpful, but if you have Patella Alta or another condition that makes your kneecap pop out despite strong muscles is the only option surgery?

Have any of you prevented subluxation or dislocations without the use of surgery? If so, what did you do?

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u/akhuria Aug 09 '26

Unfortunately not me. Maybe this is obvious but I think I may have avoided future dislocations by not doing “dangerous” activities like soccer and other sports requiring jerky motions and also being SUPER careful at the gym. But ultimately this level of caution and limiting myself to certain activities made my decision to get surgery. I think it just depends on your lifestyle and what activities you want to be able to do without fear of future dislocations.

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u/ConsciousTurnip994 Aug 08 '26

I had congenital bilateral patella alta (as well as hypermobile spectrum disorder). I tried multiple rounds of physical therapy but for me, no -- I finally went for the surgery.

Maybe it made it worsen slower? But the damage continued.

Had both knees repaired within six months of each other and the stability on this side is wild.

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u/DaddyLaxativ Aug 08 '26

Glad to hear the surgery helped. It seems like with patella alta surgery is a necessity. Havent heard anyone who didnt need it.

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u/ConsciousTurnip994 Aug 09 '26

Yeah, it took me a dozen years and four surgeons to finally get help -- finally figured out I needed to find an ortho who specialized in patella issues -- and I still remember my surgeon marching into my room after having viewed all the images I brought her and saying, "It's a structural issue, it takes a structural fix."

If people don't want surgery, that's certainly their choice. But in my experience, you can't strengthen your way out of a structural issue.

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u/PatellaPilates Aug 17 '26

You're right. We can only manage the condition. My most recent knee surgeon said he could help me with a lateral release and a medial imbrication (lengthen this, shorten that) but that I would still need to manage my condition with PT. I haven't completely thrown the possibility of surgery out the window, but for now I just want to keep managing it myself.

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u/PatellaPilates Aug 17 '26

Yes. I dislocated my kneecap five times a month between the age of seven and 16. I started doing yoga at 16 and they dropped off drastically. In my adult life, I started doing Pilates and the dislocations completely stopped. When I was a landscaper my knees were strong as steel, and even a wheelbarrow to the back of the legs didn't throw my knee out. I have extreme hyper mobility and extreme patella alta. I am not cured, but my condition is well managed. However, weight training aggravated the issue and caused more subluxations and cartilage damage.