This problem can be treated with arthroscopic surgery. If your kneecap is just slightly displaced, your doctor may advise you to try nonsurgical therapies such as exercises and braces. Exercises will assist to strengthen the muscles in your thigh, allowing your kneecap to remain aligned. A brace will hold your knee in place while it heals. If your kneecap has moved away from its joint, however, then surgical intervention is required. The two most common surgeries used to treat floating kneecaps are osteotomy-cutting off part of the kneecap-or chondrolysis removing the surface cartilage. Either procedure can help realign the bone ends so that they no longer face outwards or in. After either operation, you'll need time to heal before starting physical activity again. It might be recommended that you avoid weight-bearing for up to a year after surgery to allow your bones to fuse together properly. Floating kneecaps can cause pain, disability, and reduced quality of life. They should be treated by a physician who can assess whether surgery is appropriate for you.