[3] A patellar dislocation typically occurs when the knee is straight and the lower leg is bent outwards when twisting.

The patellar symptoms cause knee extensor dysplasia, and sensitive small variations affect the muscular mechanism that controls the joint movements.

[3] Traumatic patellar dislocation may cause bleeding into the joint space, ligament and muscle attachment tearing, and fracture of the medial wing of the patella.

[3] Fracture of the weight-bearing portion of the lateral femoral condyle occurs in 25% of traumatic patellar dislocations.

[3] Surgical repair of the patellar stabilizing structures – the medial patellofemoral ligament and vastus medialis muscle – may be needed for athletes.

[3] People who have larger Q angles tend to be more prone to having knee injuries such as dislocations, due to the central line of pull found in the quadriceps muscles that run from the anterior superior iliac spine to the center of the patella.

Several ligaments and tendons hold the patella in place and allow it to move up and down the patellofemoral groove when the leg bends.

[13] The medial patellofemoral ligament attaches horizontally in the inner knee to the adductor magnus tendon and is the structure most often damaged during a patellar dislocation.

[14] The people can do the patella tracking assessment by making a single leg squat and standing, or by lying on his or her back with knee extended from flexed position.

If this is the case, it is advisable to strengthen the medial quadriceps, vastus medialis (VMO), and stretch the lateral muscles.

[20][21] When designing a rehabilitation program, clinicians consider associated injuries such as chipped bones or soft tissue tears.

Clinicians take into account the person's age, activity level, and time needed to return to work and/or athletics.

Doctors generally only recommend surgery when other structures in the knee have sustained severe damage, or specifically when there is:[20] Supplements like glucosamine and NSAIDs can be used to minimize bothersome symptoms.

[14] An effective rehabilitation program reduces the chances of re-injury and of other knee-related problems such as patellofemoral pain syndrome and osteoarthritis.

[14] The objective of any good rehabilitation program is to reduce pain, swelling and stiffness as well as increase range of motion.

Commonly used exercises include isometric quadricep sets, side lying clamshells, leg dips with internal tibial rotation, etc.

Race is a significant factor for this injury, where Hispanics, African-Americans and Caucasians had slightly higher rates of patellar dislocation due to the types of athletic activity involved in: basketball (18.2%), soccer (6.9%), and football (6.9%), according to Brian Waterman.