What is patellofemoral instability?

Patellofemoral instability refers to the kneecap (patella) slipping out of its normal position, often leading to dislocation. It commonly affects young adults, athletes, and individuals with joint hypermobility or alignment issues.

What causes the kneecap to dislocate?

Kneecap dislocation can result from trauma, twisting injuries, or anatomical factors such as a shallow trochlear groove or poor patellar alignment. It is more common in active individuals and those with ligament laxity.

How is patellofemoral instability diagnosed?

Diagnosis involves clinical examination and imaging such as X-rays, 3T MRI, or CT scans to assess bone structure, cartilage damage, and alignment. Professor Chinmay Gupte performs a full biomechanical assessment during your consultation.

Do I need surgery for a dislocating kneecap?

Not always. Many first-time dislocations can be treated with physiotherapy. Surgery is recommended for recurrent dislocations or if imaging shows structural issues like ligament rupture or bone misalignment.

What surgeries can help stabilise the kneecap?

Procedures include MPFL reconstruction, trochleoplasty, tibial tubercle osteotomy, or lateral release, depending on the patient’s anatomy and dislocation severity. Professor Gupte tailors surgery based on each individual case.

What is a children's ACL injury?

A children's ACL injury refers to a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in the knee, often caused by sports-related activities. In children, these injuries must be managed carefully to avoid damage to the growth plates.

How is ACL surgery different in children?

Children require growth-sparing ACL reconstruction techniques, such as all-epiphyseal or partial transphyseal methods, to protect open growth plates and ensure proper bone development.

Does every child with an ACL tear need surgery?

Not always. Some children can be managed with physiotherapy and activity modification. Surgery is recommended for ongoing instability or high-risk sports involvement.

What is the recovery time after paediatric ACL surgery?

Recovery typically takes 9 to 12 months, including physiotherapy, rehab milestones, and return-to-sport clearance under specialist guidance.

Who is the best children’s ACL surgeon in London?

Professor Chinmay Gupte is a highly experienced consultant orthopaedic surgeon specialising in children’s ACL injuries. He offers expert, growth-sparing ACL surgery at the Sportshealing Clinic in London.

Clinic Visits | Schedule Your Appointment Today

Clinic Visits.

It is a pleasure to welcome patients from London and all over the world to the Wellington Knee Unit and Harley Street.

For patients travelling nationally and internationally we have set up an expedited care plan.

Locations

Wellington Hospital, London

Wellington Knee Unit, Platinum Medical Centre, 15 - 17 Lodge Road, London, NW8 7JA

17 Harley St, London

17 Harley St, London W1G 9QH

What To Expect at Your First Knee Consultation

Your first visit to the Sportshealing Clinic is about more than just a diagnosis – it’s about understanding you. Whether your pain began recently or has been building over time, we take a whole-body, holistic approach to understanding the root cause.

Here’s what will happen:

You’ll meet with Professor Gupte, a specialist trained in sports and joint health
We’ll take a complete medical and activity history
A physical examination will assess movement, strength, and mechanics
You’ll have time to ask questions and understand our working diagnosis
We’ll discuss next steps, which may include imaging or blood tests

The atmosphere is calm, respectful, and collaborative. Our goal? To give you clear answers and a plan to move forward.

Aims of first clinic visit

The aim of the first clinic visit is to confirm the diagnosis and to provide a treatment plan.
Mr Gupte and his team will complete a full evaluation of the history of your knee condition as well as a examination of the knee.
The examination of the knee will include areas of swelling, tenderness, the range of movement in the knee and special tests to assess ligament and meniscal insufficiency.
After the history and examination, most patients will require further investigations which may include x-rays or MRI scan depending on the condition suspected.
Our Team takes every effort to ensure a smooth pathway from clinic evaluation, MRI scan if required and results discussion.
The clinic appointment itself takes between 20 and 30 minutes. There may be an hour required for MRI scan.
Usually results can be discussed within 24:48 hours.
If a same day service is required we can expedite results and a second clinic appointment can be made but this may take most of the day.

What Questions Should I Ask My Knee Specialist?

An empowered patient gets better outcomes. Here are the top questions we encourage you to ask during your knee consultation:

What is the likely cause of my knee pain?
Are scans needed now, or can we start treatment?
Could this get better with rehab, or is surgery more likely?
What are the risks of waiting or doing nothing?
What can I do at home to help recovery?
How does my age/activity/health influence the plan?
How will I know if I'm improving?

Bring these to your consultation or keep them in your phone. At Sportshealing, we believe in shared decision-making.

The Knee Is a Window Into Whole-Body Health

Your knees carry more than your bodyweight. They carry your lifestyle, your habits, your strength, and sometimes your stress.

Here’s why we treat the whole person:

Weak hips or ankles can overload your knee joint
Poor sleep or nutrition slows down healing
Menopause can affect joint collagen and pain perception
Obesity, inflammation, and even gut health can influence symptoms

We often detect systemic patterns early – helping you fix more than just the knee. It’s precision medicine, but also personal.

What Can an MRI Tell Me About My Knee?

MRI scans are incredibly useful – especially our 3T MRI which gives ultra-detailed images of soft tissue.

Your knee MRI can show:

Ligament damage (ACL, PCL, MCL, etc.)
Meniscal tears or degeneration
Cartilage wear and early arthritis
Swelling or inflammation inside the joint
Bone stress injuries or cysts

MRI helps us confirm a diagnosis and avoid guesswork. But it's just one part of the picture – your symptoms and lifestyle matter too. That's why we review it with you together.

Understanding Your MRI: A Patient’s Guide

MRI reports can look like a foreign language. We break them down into something useful – and empowering.

Here’s how we help you understand:

Your report is reviewed with your scans – side by side
We explain what’s important vs what’s “normal for age”
You’ll understand if something is acute, chronic, or recoverable
You’ll receive a digital copy and our summary report

MRI isn’t the end – it’s the beginning of a more precise, targeted plan for recovery. We make sure you’re never left confused.