How long does it take to recover from tennis elbow with physiotherapy?

Recovery time varies, but many patients see significant improvement in 6-12 weeks. Full resolution may take several months depending on severity and consistency of rehab.

Can I still play tennis or use my arm while recovering?

You may modify load, use bracing, and gradually reintroduce activity — ideally under physiotherapist guidance. Avoid full intensity until pain is well controlled.

Are corticosteroid injections better than physiotherapy?

While injections may give short-term pain relief, long-term outcomes are often worse than physiotherapy. Physiotherapy offers stronger long-term benefits and lower recurrence.

Will my tennis elbow come back after treatment?

Recurrence is possible — but far less likely if you complete your rehab, correct risky techniques, and maintain strength and loading appropriately.

73) Kneecap Dislocation: Physiotherapy’s Role in Healing

A kneecap dislocation can be painful, frightening, and frustrating — especially if it stops you from enjoying sport or even walking comfortably. The good news? With the right physiotherapy treatment, recovery is absolutely achievable. In this blog, we’ll break down causes, treatment, recovery timelines, and share a real success story from our Frenchs Forest clinic.

The Shock Factor: What is a Kneecap Dislocation?

Your kneecap (patella) normally glides smoothly in a groove at the end of your thigh bone (femur). A dislocation happens when the kneecap is forced out of that groove — usually to the outside of the knee.

This can happen during sport, a sudden twist, a fall, or even a simple change of direction. While some kneecaps pop back in on their own, others require urgent medical care. Either way, proper physiotherapy afterwards is crucial to restore strength and prevent future dislocations.

Common Causes of Patella Dislocation

Kneecap dislocation isn’t random — it usually happens due to a mix of force and underlying risk factors:

Sudden twisting or pivoting movements during sport
Direct blow to the knee in contact sports
Shallow or irregular patella groove (some people are born with higher risk anatomy)
Weak quadriceps and hip muscles leading to poor patella tracking
Previous dislocation — once it’s happened, the risk increases
Loose ligaments (hypermobility), common in younger athletes and females

Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore

Severe knee pain at the time of injury
Visible deformity (kneecap sitting out of place)
Swelling and bruising
Difficulty walking or straightening the leg
Instability or the feeling the knee might “give way” afterwards

The Role of Physiotherapy in Recovery

Physiotherapy is essential after a kneecap dislocation — even if the kneecap popped back into place without surgery. Without rehab, many patients are left with instability, weakness, or repeat dislocations.

Key Goals of Physiotherapy:

Reduce pain and swelling
Protect and stabilise the knee during early healing
Restore movement of the joint
Strengthen muscles around the knee and hips
Retrain patella tracking to keep the kneecap moving correctly
Return to sport safely with confidence

Step-by-Step Physio Treatment Plan

1. Acute Phase (0–2 weeks)

RICE principles: rest, ice, compression, elevation
Bracing: often after a dislocaiton, the patient is put into a zimmer splint which keeps their leg straight for two weeks
Quadriceps activation (isometric quads sets)
Manual therapy is focussed on keeping range of motion and swelling reduction
Exercise therapy is used to keep surrounding muscles and the entire body strong

2. Early Rehabilitation (2–6 weeks)

Gradual range-of-motion restoration
Targeted strengthening of quads, hamstrings, and hips
Balance and proprioception training
Manual therapy for stiffness and swelling

3. Strength & Control Phase (6–12 weeks)

Progress to functional strengthening: squats, step-downs, lunges
Glute strengthening for knee alignment
Patella tracking retraining with closed-chain exercises
Controlled jogging (if pain-free and stable)

4. Sport-Specific Training (12+ weeks)

Plyometrics (jumping, landing mechanics)
Change of direction drills
Sport simulations under physio guidance
Preventive strategies for long-term knee stability

Do You Always Need Surgery?

Not always. Many first-time kneecap dislocations can be managed successfully with physiotherapy. Surgery is considered if:

The kneecap fractures during dislocation
There is severe cartilage damage
The patient has repeated dislocations despite rehab
Structural issues (very shallow patella groove)

Your physio will often work alongside your orthopaedic specialist to guide this decision.

Patient Story: “Sophie from Elanora Heights”

Sophie, a 17-year-old netballer from Elanora Heights, came to our Frenchs Forest clinic after her kneecap dislocated during a sudden change of direction. She was devastated, fearing she’d miss the season.

Her initial scans showed no fractures, so we began with protective bracing and gentle activation work. Over the following weeks, we focused on quad and glute strengthening, improving her balance, and teaching her safe movement patterns.

Within 10 weeks, Sophie was jogging again, and by 16 weeks she was back on the netball court — pain-free and with stronger knees than before. She’s now playing confidently with no repeat dislocations.

Common Mistakes After a Kneecap Dislocation

Returning to sport too quickly without proper rehab
Relying only on rest — leading to weakness and instability
Ignoring hip and glute strength (critical for knee control)
Skipping proprioception training (essential for preventing recurrence)
Not addressing underlying anatomical risks with tailored treatment

Sample Strengthening Exercises

Exercise	How to Do It	Benefit
Quad sets	Sit with leg straight, tighten thigh muscle pushing knee down	Activates quads early
Clamshells	Lie on side, knees bent, lift top knee	Strengthens glutes for knee stability
Step-downs	Slowly lower one leg off step	Improves knee control
Side band walks	Step sideways against band	Strengthens hips
Single-leg balance	Stand on one leg, hold balance	Trains proprioception

Recovery Timeline

0–2 weeks: Pain and swelling management, often immobilised
2–6 weeks: Mobility and basic strength return
6–12 weeks: Functional strengthening, jogging reintroduced
12–16 weeks: Return to training and sport-specific drills
4–6 months: Full recovery and return to competitive sport (if all rehab steps followed)

If you have ongoing pain around the knee cap, it could be due to maltracking. Read more about this in our blog:
Understanding And Managing Kneecap Pain

Key Takeaways

Kneecap dislocations are painful but very treatable with physiotherapy
Early rehab prevents long-term instability and repeat injuries
Strengthening quads, hips, and retraining patella control are essential
Most patients can return to full sport in 3–6 months with structured rehab
Don’t leave it to chance — structured physio makes the difference

👉 Give us a call today on 9806 3077, or book online — just CLICK HERE.

FAQs

Q: How long does it take to recover from a kneecap dislocation?
Most people recover in 3–6 months with physiotherapy, depending on severity and commitment to rehab.This can vary significantly.

Q: Can you walk after a kneecap dislocation?
Initially walking may be painful and unstable. With bracing and early physiotherapy, most patients regain normal walking within 2–4 weeks.

Q: Do all kneecap dislocations need surgery?
No — many are successfully managed with physiotherapy alone. Surgery is considered if repeat dislocations occur or structural damage is present.

Q: How can I stop it happening again?
Strengthening quads and glutes, improving balance, and correcting movement patterns with physiotherapy significantly reduce recurrence risk.

References & Further Reading

Physiopedia: Patellar Dislocation physio-pedia.com
Healthline: Kneecap Dislocation Guide healthline.com
Cleveland Clinic: Patellar Dislocation my.clevelandclinic.org
Sports Medicine Australia: Knee Injuries sma.org.au
PhysioWorks: Patella Dislocation Rehab physioworks.com.au