A posterior knee splint or knee immobilizer should be placed for 4 to 6 weeks and an orthopedic referral is recommended. Rehabilitation should be initiated as soon as possible, starting with straight leg raises to minimize quadriceps atrophy. Surgical repair is considered in patients at risk for recurrent dislocation. Describe the quality of acute knee pain and the location. Any previous knee injury or pain should be documented.
Examination begins with inspection for asymmetry, knee effusion, atrophy and congenital anomalies.
Palpate the knee to assess areas of tenderness and crepitance. Muscle strength, joint range of motion and gait should also be evaluated. Palpation of the knee to ascertain tenderness and crepitance should be done. There are several tests for patellar instability. The patella tilt test involves tilting the patella, which normally should be less than 20 degrees.