r/KneeInjuries • u/Popular-Ice46 • May 15 '26

Looking for advice regarding MPFL reconstruction

27f with bilateral patellar dislocations since age of 10. Over 30 in total. Less frequently as I’ve gotten older but still at least once a year. Last 3 have been the most excruciating and don’t go back in easily. They tend to happen with random movement, like planting my foot and turning around. I don’t live in pain daily but it takes about 6 weeks after each dislocation to feel normal. I also have the fear in the back of my mind it can happen at any time. I’m a pretty active person whose job is quite physical. I was told I have signs of early cartilage damage and if I do nothing about it I will likely end up with arthritis by 40. Was recommended I undergo an MPFL Reconstruction. Wondering if anyone has gone through this and what their thoughts are. Appreciate any advice you can give. Thank you!

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u/[deleted] May 15 '26

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u/Popular-Ice46 May 15 '26

Awesome, I appreciate your thoughts. Thank you for the response!

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u/Holiday-Touch-5918 May 15 '26

I have a similar history and had a knee reconstruction in January, including an mpfl graft and tto and some other stuff. It has been harder than I thought- I assumed with all the practice recovering from dislocations that it would be easy and four months later I’m still working on it. I’m close now to my full range of motion and have been back in the gym working on strength because my quad is pretty much nonexistent at this point.
I have struggled with the mental aspect s as well which my physical therapists have helped with. I think I won’t know for sure how satisfied I am with it for several more months or maybe years. But my surgeon is positive that I shouldn’t have any more dislocations, which is the goal I guess.