About Patellar Instability
Patellar instability can feel sudden and scary, but many athletes return to sport without surgery with the right rehab plan. Physical therapy builds hip and quad strength and improves landing and cutting mechanics to reduce re-injury risk. The goal is a stable kneecap and confident return to play.
Expected Recovery Window
First-time (conservative): 8–16 weeks. Post-surgical stabilization: 4–6+ months.
Related Symptoms with Patellar Instability
Common Symptoms
Kneecap shifting or giving way; swelling after an episode; pain around the kneecap; apprehension with cutting or stairs; tenderness along medial retinaculum.
Common Causes
Landing or cutting with knee valgus; shallow trochlear groove anatomy; hypermobility; weak hip and quad control; prior dislocation increasing recurrence risk.
How We Treat Patellar Instability
We restore range of motion and reduce swelling early, then rebuild quad and hip strength with progressive single-leg loading. Return-to-sport includes jump-land mechanics, deceleration, and cutting progressions with criteria-based testing.
