OE Journal

ORIGINAL ANALYSIS

Patellar dislocations: Treatment options and outcomes

Discussion around Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ patellar dislocation has highlighted the broader debate over operative versus conservative care. Surgery, often involving MPFL reconstruction, lowers redislocation risk but carries a recovery timeline measured in months—an unattractive option mid-season. Conservative care offers a much faster return, often within weeks, though with a higher risk of recurrence, especially in athletes with predisposing anatomy. Expert opinions emphasize individualized decisions based on imaging, stability, season timing, and long-term risk, noting that many first-time dislocators can return with rehab and bracing, while recurrent or structurally vulnerable cases may shift management toward surgery.