• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Howard J. Luks, MD

Howard J. Luks, MD

Orthopedic Surgeon Sports Medicine Specialist

  • Topics
    • Joint Pain
    • Longevity
    • Metabolic Health
    • Sports Medicine
    • Training
    • Top Articles
      • Zone 2 Training
      • Shoulder Pain Lifting Arm
      • Knee Injury Serious?
      • Medial Meniscus Tears
      • Front Of Knee Pain
      • Shoulder Snaps & Pops
    • All Articles
  • Newsletter
  • Podcast
  • Book
  • About
  • Consultation
Patella

What is Patella Subluxation ?

Avatar photo

Howard J. Luks, MD Updated Sep 17, 2021 Read time: 3 mins

Featured image placeholder

With patella subluxation, the kneecap is not moving in a groove on the top of the femur properly.  Patella subluxation, or malalignment is a common cause of pain in the front of your knee.

The patella or the kneecap serves an important function.  The patella serves as an attachment point for the quadriceps and patella tendons.  The patella enables us to straighten our knee with little effort.  The patella sits in a groove on the front of the thigh bone.   Patella subluxation is a form of patella mal-tracking or instability.  If the patella does not sit properly in the groove on the thigh bone, then patella subluxation exists.

What Is Patella Subluxation?

Patella subluxation exists if the patella is trying to slide out of the groove.  Normally the patella sits evenly in the groove on the femur.  As seen in the picture below, in patients with patella subluxation the patella or kneecap is tilting out of the groove.

patella subluxation
Copyright MMG

When the patella slides out of the groove it creates a situation where the cartilage on the bottom of the patella, and the groove are not contacting each other evenly.  The outer part of the cartilage on the kneecap is under higher pressure because of the subluxation.  If this situation persists, then the cartilage under the patella starts to wear and causes significant inflammation and eventual patella osteoarthritis.

Patients with patella subluxation feel pain in the front of the knee.  The pain is typically increased with stair climbing, and arising out of a chair.  Some of you may feel the patella clunk back into place as you bend the knee.  The causes of patella subluxation are complex and numerous.  It can be due to a muscle imbalance, it can be due to your bones not forming properly when you were a baby and it can be due to a previous history of trauma or a patella dislocation.

How Do I Treat Patella Subluxation?

In mild cases, a simple knee compression sleeve can alleviate much of the pain associated with patella malalignment. 

patella subluxation braceSpecific patella stabilization braces can assist you in minimizing pain and controlling your patella tracking. Bracing to help your patella track more normally is really only achievable for thinner legs.  The more prominent your kneecap is, the higher the likelihood the brace can work.

Physical therapy can be effective for many at managing patella pain.  The physical therapist can assess you and try to adjust and weaknesses or imbalance that may be present.

Many patients find that KT tape helps control pain.

Surgical options are necessary if your patella subluxation symptoms fail to improve with non-surgical treatment.   Options include procedures to “re-align” your patella and have it centered in the groove.  The exact nature of the procedure which is best for you will depend on why you have patella mal-alignment. This is a complex issue and you should make sure that the doctor you are seeing is well versed in this area.

 

Do you have questions regarding an Orthopedic injury or longevity? 

Do you want to talk to an expert who can listen to you for 45-60 minutes and explain the options in detail? 

Dr. Howard Luks offers remote guidance sessions to review your X-ray or MRI images and explain your options. 

Dr. Luks has also received hundreds of requests for educational sessions on the topics discussed in his book, Longevity Simplified.

Schedule Remote Session

Please note that my disclaimer applies.

Discuss your patella subluxation case with your provider or Orthopedic Surgeon to see what might work best for you.

 

Categories: Patella Tags: patella subluxation

Disclaimer:  this information is for your education and should not be considered medical advice regarding diagnosis or treatment recommendations. Some links on this page may be affiliate links. Read the full disclaimer.
Dr. Howard J. Luks

Howard J. Luks, MD is a leading orthopedic surgeon & sports medicine specialist. An expert in shoulder, knee, and other sports injuries, and author of Longevity... Simplified.

About · Contact · Private Consultation

Remote Guidance Sessions
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

Like what you're reading?

Join the thousands of followers who rely on Dr. Howard J. Luks, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in Sports Medicine, with tools, tactics, and techniques for simplifying longevity.

Further Reading:

Patella dislocations are very common
The Dislocated Kneecap: It Is More Common Than You Think
Patella tendinitis
What is Patellar Tendonitis or a Jumpers Knee?
can't straighten knee
Patellofemoral or Anterior Knee Pain in Adolescents
knee swelling
Pain In The Front Of The Knee: 6 Common Causes

Primary Sidebar

Dr. Howard J. Luks

Howard J. Luks, MD is a leading orthopedic surgeon & sports medicine specialist. An expert in shoulder, knee, and other sports injuries, and author of Longevity... Simplified.

About · Contact · Private Consultation

Remote Guidance Sessions
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

Top Articles

The importance of VO2 Max

VO2 Max. It’s not just about your mitochondria

Walking is exercise

Walking IS Exercise: Why All Movement Matters

Zone 2 heart rate training

Zone 2 Heart Rate Training For Longevity and Performance

Do I have a serious knee injury

Is My Knee Injury Serious? 5 Signs to Look For.

Newsletter

Join the thousands of followers who rely on Dr. Howard J. Luks, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in Sports Medicine, with tools, tactics, and techniques for simplifying longevity.

Read the Book

An easy-to-read guide that tosses out the myths and clears up the truth behind living longer. As you read this book, you will:

  • Understand the science behind the recommendations for living a longer and healthier life.
  • Understand that all our bodies’ systems are interconnected and rely on one another.
  • Connect the dots to poor metabolic health and take steps to reverse this path.
  • Recognize that fear doesn't need to be your reality.
  • Recognizing that most people view “exercise” as unpleasant work.
  • Stop going down “rabbit holes” of false information.
  • Realize you don't have to change as much as you think.
Find Out More
Read Reviews
Longevity... Simplified: Living A Longer, Healthier Life Shouldn’t Be Complicated

Available at:

Bookshop
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

Trending Now

  1. Reframe why exercise is important. Not to lose, but to gin.
    Muscle and Strength
    We Exercise To Gain, Not To Lose.
  2. The importance of VO2 Max
    Featured
    VO2 Max. It's not just about your mitochondria
  3. What's Next... Substack
    Sports Medicine
    What's Next... Substack
  4. Seasoned Doctors Want to Leave Medicine.
    Sports Medicine
    Seasoned Doctors Want to Leave Medicine.

Howard J. Luks, MD

Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine

128 Ashford Avenue
Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522

(914)-559-1900
[email protected]
Book Private Consultation

Topics

  • Joint Pain
  • Longevity
  • Metabolic Health
  • Sports Medicine
  • Running
  • Training

Browse All Articles

Joint Pain

  • Ankle
  • Elbow
  • Hip
  • Knee
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Shoulder

More Orthopedic Education

  • Topics
  • Newsletter
  • Podcast
  • Book
  • About
  • Consultation

© 2025 · Howard J Luks, MD · Disclaimer & Terms · Privacy Policy
The information on this site is not intended or implied to be medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This site should be used for informational purposes only.