Patellar Injuries
Kneecap pain, instability, and tendon injuries — precision care for the joint's front door.
Overview
Understanding patellar injuries
The patella — your kneecap — rides in a groove on the femur and multiplies the force of your quadriceps. Problems here come in three main families: instability (dislocation and subluxation), overload (patellar tendinopathy, or "jumper's knee"), and acute tendon ruptures.
Each family has its own playbook. Instability is about anatomy and the MPFL ligament; tendinopathy is about load management and progressive strengthening; ruptures are surgical urgencies that do best with timely repair.
Symptoms
What it feels like
- Pain at the front of the knee, worse with stairs, squatting, or sitting
- A kneecap that slips, shifts, or fully dislocates
- Pain localized to the tendon below the kneecap during jumping sports
- Sudden inability to straighten the knee after a pop (possible tendon rupture)
Common causes
Why it happens
- Shallow groove anatomy or ligament laxity (instability)
- Rapid spikes in jumping or sprinting volume (tendinopathy)
- Forceful contraction against a bent knee (tendon rupture)
- Direct impact injuries
Diagnosis
How it's diagnosed
Exam plus targeted imaging: X-rays assess alignment and the groove, MRI evaluates the MPFL, cartilage, and tendons. For recurrent dislocation, imaging measurements guide whether soft-tissue reconstruction alone is enough or bony realignment should be considered.
Treatment
The full range of options
Non-surgical
Progressive loading programs
The evidence-based core of tendinopathy care — structured strengthening that rebuilds the tendon's capacity rather than just resting it.
First-time dislocation rehabilitation
Many first dislocations are managed without surgery: bracing, quad and hip strengthening, and a graduated return to sport.
Surgical
MPFL reconstruction
Rebuilding the ligament that holds the kneecap in its groove — the workhorse operation for recurrent instability.
Realignment procedures
For patients whose anatomy drives dislocations, moving the tendon attachment (tibial tubercle osteotomy) corrects the underlying mechanics.
Tendon repair
Acute patellar or quadriceps tendon ruptures are repaired promptly to restore the extensor mechanism.
Recovery
The road back
Timelines vary by problem: tendinopathy programs run weeks to months; MPFL reconstruction typically allows return to sport around four to six months; tendon repairs are protected early, then progressively loaded over several months. In every case the exit criteria are strength and control, not just time.
Dr. Johnson's approach
Kneecap problems are anatomy problems, and Dr. Johnson's evaluation is built around finding your specific driver — groove shape, ligament status, alignment, and load history — so the fix addresses the cause rather than the symptom.
Straight answers
Frequently Asked Questions
The information on this site is for education only and is not a medical diagnosis or a substitute for professional medical advice. Every patient is different — please consult Dr. Johnson or a qualified provider about your specific condition.
Ready when you are
Take the first step past patellar injuries
A focused evaluation, an honest conversation, and a plan built for your goals.