About this video
Last updated: 3 November 2026
The video explains that the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) runs from the inner side of the kneecap (patella) to the thigh bone (femur) and acts as a primary restraint stopping the kneecap from sliding outwards. The MPFL is torn, fully or partly, in most first-time dislocations, and an MPFL tear can increase knee instability and the risk of the kneecap dislocating again, which can lead to further cartilage wear.
Key points
- The video notes that after a kneecap dislocation, the kneecap may go back into place and the initial pain may settle while the underlying instability can remain.
- A dislocation, including the first one, can damage the cartilage on the underside of the kneecap and the groove it sits in, and further dislocations can add to this.
- MPFL reconstruction uses a graft to rebuild that restraint and help restore the tension that keeps the kneecap tracking in its groove. Whether MPFL reconstruction is done on its own or together with a procedure to correct the bone shape or alignment depends on the individual knee.
- Whether symptoms involve repeated dislocations or a persistent feeling that the kneecap is shifting, the video says early assessment and the right intervention at the right time can make a meaningful difference.
Questions this video answers
What is the role of the MPFL in the knee?
The video explains that the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) runs from the inner side of the kneecap to the thigh bone and acts as a primary restraint stopping the kneecap from sliding outwards.
Why can kneecap dislocations happen again after the first injury?
The video says that when the kneecap dislocates, the MPFL tears, which can leave the kneecap less stable. Recurrence after a first dislocation can be common — particularly when underlying bone-shape or alignment factors are also present — and both the initial dislocation and any further episodes can damage the cartilage underneath the kneecap and in its groove.
When is MPFL reconstruction considered?
MPFL reconstruction is considered when kneecap dislocations recur or when ongoing instability and anatomical risk factors persist after a dislocation: the video says the procedure uses a graft to rebuild the restraint and restore the tension that keeps the kneecap tracking correctly. Published consensus guidelines note that whether MPFL reconstruction is done on its own or together with a procedure to correct the bone shape or alignment depends on the individual knee. The video adds that if instability is the pattern, whether full dislocations or a persistent feeling of the kneecap shifting, early assessment and the right intervention at the right time can make a meaningful difference.
