What should you know about MPFL reconstruction surgery?

The surgeon replaces a damaged medial patellofemoral ligament with a tendon graft. The graft is positioned to help guide the kneecap and attached with fixation chosen for the patient’s anatomy. Surgery is generally considered in the setting of recurrent instability or a significant ligament injury, but the full knee alignment and cartilage condition also influence the plan. Read about the underlying problem in [Patellar Dislocation](/conditions/patellar-dislocation/) and see the treatment page for [MPFL Reconstruction](/treatments/sports-and-arthroscopic-surgery/mpfl-reconstruction/).

Arrange help with transport, stairs, meals, and early household tasks. Follow instructions for the brace, crutches, wound care, medication, and allowed knee movement. Early rehabilitation commonly targets swelling, safe walking, and thigh-muscle activation; later sessions add range of motion, strength, balance, and controlled functional tasks. Do not use pain reduction as permission to run, pivot, or kneel before the team clears those activities. Attend follow-up visits so healing and kneecap tracking can be checked.

Call the surgical team if the incision becomes more red, hot, swollen, or leaky, or if fever develops. Urgent assessment is needed for sudden breathlessness, chest pain, severe calf pain, a pale or numb foot, or pain that cannot be controlled. Report a fall, a new kneecap shift, or a knee that suddenly locks.

Ask what the operation will and will not correct, what restrictions apply at home, how physiotherapy will progress, which pain and swelling changes are expected, and what functional tests are required before returning to work or sport.