Overview
Congenital patella dislocation is a rare condition present at birth in which the kneecap (patella) is permanently displaced from its normal position in the groove at the front of the knee. Instead of sitting in the center of the knee joint, the kneecap is shifted to the outer side (laterally) and may also be rotated. This condition can affect one or both knees. It is sometimes called congenital dislocation of the patella or permanent congenital dislocation of the patella. Because the kneecap is out of place from birth, children with this condition often have difficulty straightening their knee fully. They may walk with a bent-knee posture, have an unusual gait, and experience instability in the knee joint. Over time, the misalignment can lead to progressive knee stiffness, pain, and difficulty with activities like running, climbing stairs, or squatting. The muscles and ligaments around the knee may also develop abnormally because they have been in the wrong position since before birth. Treatment is primarily surgical. The goal of surgery is to realign the kneecap into its proper groove and rebalance the surrounding soft tissues so the knee can function more normally. Early surgical correction is generally recommended to prevent long-term joint damage and to improve mobility. Physical therapy after surgery is important for strengthening the knee and restoring range of motion. Without treatment, the condition can lead to progressive joint degeneration and significant functional limitations. In some cases, congenital patella dislocation occurs as an isolated finding, while in others it may be part of a broader genetic syndrome affecting the skeleton.
Key symptoms:
Kneecap visibly out of place from birthInability to fully straighten the kneeBent-knee walking postureKnee instability or giving wayAbnormal walking patternKnee stiffnessKnee pain, especially with activityDifficulty running or climbing stairsWeakness in the thigh musclesLimited range of motion in the kneeOutward rotation of the lower legFrequent falls or tripping
Clinical phenotype terms (8)— hover any for plain English
Variable
Can be inherited in different ways depending on the underlying gene
Neonatal
Begins at or shortly after birth (first 4 weeks)
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Congenital patella dislocation.
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Specialists
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Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Congenital patella dislocation.
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Caregiver Resources
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Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Is my child's patella dislocation isolated or could it be part of a genetic syndrome?,At what age should surgery be performed for the best outcome?,What type of surgical procedure do you recommend and what are the risks?,How long will recovery take after surgery, and what will physical therapy involve?,Is there a chance the kneecap could dislocate again after surgery?,Should my child have genetic testing to look for an underlying cause?,What activities should my child avoid before and after treatment?
Common questions about Congenital patella dislocation
What is Congenital patella dislocation?
Congenital patella dislocation is a rare condition present at birth in which the kneecap (patella) is permanently displaced from its normal position in the groove at the front of the knee. Instead of sitting in the center of the knee joint, the kneecap is shifted to the outer side (laterally) and may also be rotated. This condition can affect one or both knees. It is sometimes called congenital dislocation of the patella or permanent congenital dislocation of the patella. Because the kneecap is out of place from birth, children with this condition often have difficulty straightening their kne
At what age does Congenital patella dislocation typically begin?
Typical onset of Congenital patella dislocation is neonatal. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.