How long does physiotherapy take to work for patellar dislocation?

After a patellar dislocation, the knee may be swollen, guarded, and difficult to move. Early treatment often focuses on comfortable movement, reducing swelling, and restoring the ability to tighten the thigh muscle. Later sessions build quadriceps and hip strength, balance, and control of the kneecap during bending and stepping. Progress depends on whether the kneecap has been reduced, the extent of soft-tissue injury, previous instability, and how steadily home exercises are completed.

Improvement is usually measured by easier walking, better knee movement, less giving-way, and improved control rather than by a single appointment. A clinician may adjust the pace if the knee becomes more swollen or unstable.

Attend the planned assessments and practise only the exercises prescribed for your stage. Keep movements controlled, avoid twisting or impact until your clinician permits them, and use any brace or walking aid as directed. Tell the physiotherapist if an exercise causes sharp pain, repeated slipping, or swelling that lasts into the next day. A gradual return to stairs, jogging, and sport is safer than testing the knee suddenly.

Seek prompt medical care if the kneecap appears out of place again, the knee locks, you cannot bear weight, or swelling and pain rapidly worsen. Urgent assessment is also appropriate for a cold or pale foot, new numbness, or marked weakness. If progress stalls despite following the plan, arrange a review so the diagnosis, brace, exercise load, or need for orthopaedic assessment can be reconsidered.

Ask which movements are currently safe, what signs show that the kneecap is becoming more stable, and when work, driving, stairs, or sport can be increased. You can also ask how swelling should be managed and what to do if the knee gives way between appointments.