Concierge knee surgery · UK
Kneecap stabilisation surgery in the UK, by a specialist knee surgeon.
MPFL reconstruction, tibial tubercle transfer or trochleoplasty — the right operation for your anatomy, chosen after MRI and CT, delivered by a consultant who does this subspecialty every week.
Why patients choose us
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A specialist knee surgeon, in theatre
Patellar instability is a subspecialty within knee surgery. A named consultant who does MPFL reconstructions and tibial tubercle transfers weekly — not a general orthopaedic list.
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The right operation for your anatomy
MPFL reconstruction alone, MPFL plus tibial tubercle transfer, or trochleoplasty for severe dysplasia. We insist on TT-TG and Dejour classification before you commit.
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Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What private kneecap stabilisation costs in the UK.
Indicative ranges across our partner hospitals. Send the details and we quote firm figures across the operations your anatomy actually calls for.
In short
Isolated MPFL reconstruction in our network: £6,000–£12,000, home same day or one night.
| Procedure | Indicative range | Typical duration | Stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| MPFL reconstruction (isolated) | £6,000–£12,000 | 90–120 min | Day-case or 1 night |
| MPFL reconstruction with InternalBrace | £7,500–£13,500 | 90–120 min | Day-case or 1 night |
| MPFL + tibial tubercle transfer (Fulkerson) | £10,000–£16,000 | 150–180 min | 1 night |
| Trochleoplasty (± MPFL, specialist centre) | £14,000–£20,000 | 180 min | 1–2 nights |
| Osteochondral fragment fixation (acute) | £6,500–£11,000 | 60–90 min | Day-case |
| Specialist consultation + imaging review | £300–£500 | 45 min | Same visit |
Prices vary by surgeon, by hospital, by graft and implant choice, and by whether a tubercle transfer or trochleoplasty is added on the day. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
The right surgeon, the right imaging, the right operation.
Patellar instability is under-imaged and under-planned in the private market — MPFL reconstruction booked without CT, trochlear dysplasia ignored, and predictable re-dislocations. We fix all three before you commit.
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Is surgery actually needed?
A first dislocation without a loose fragment is usually a physio case, not a surgical case. We say so before you sign consent.
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Which operation, exactly?
MPFL alone, MPFL plus tubercle transfer, or trochleoplasty — the anatomy decides. That means MRI and, where indicated, CT with rotational profile.
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Who should do it?
A consultant knee surgeon with a declared patellofemoral subspecialty. Trochleoplasty only where regularly performed.
The journey
From enquiry to return-to-sport — what happens, in order.
One clinician from first message to the six-month review, and a named physiotherapist for the rehab in between.
Phase 1 · Before your operation
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · On the day
Day-case or one night
Phase 3 · Rehab
Six months, physio-led
- 01
Before
You tell us what is going on
A short, confidential form. How many dislocations, which knee, imaging done, whether physio has been tried.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: the right surgeon, whether you need CT with rotational profile, an indicative price. If physio has not been tried properly, we say so.
- 03
Before
We arrange assessment and imaging
Usually within one to two weeks. MRI (MPFL, trochlea, patellar height), CT for TT-TG and torsion where indicated, and the consultation.
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On the day
Arrival at the hospital
Admission, consent, marking, and a chat with the surgeon and anaesthetist. GA plus an adductor canal block is usual.
- 05
On the day
The operation itself
90 to 180 minutes in theatre. Arthroscopy first, then MPFL reconstruction and any tubercle transfer or trochleoplasty agreed with you.
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On the day
Day-case or one night
MPFL reconstruction alone is often day-case. Add a tubercle transfer or trochleoplasty and most patients stay one night for pain control.
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After
Rehab is the operation
Hinged brace and crutches for six weeks, physio-led rehab for six months, running at three to four months, contact sport at six to nine.
Typical end-to-end: 2–4 weeks from enquiry to operation. Full rehabilitation: 6 months, with contact sport at 6–9 months.
When it helps
When kneecap stabilisation is the right step.
The presentations that lead to surgery, the anatomical drivers behind them, and the one red flag that means an emergency rather than an appointment.
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Recurrent lateral dislocations
Two or more true dislocations of the kneecap, usually starting in adolescence or the twenties, often with a first traumatic event.
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Subluxation without full dislocation
The kneecap slips and self-reduces, with a giving-way sensation, apprehension on twisting, or a feeling the knee is unreliable.
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First dislocation with loose fragment
A first-time dislocation that fractures a piece of cartilage or bone is a surgical case, not a physio case — fixation ± MPFL reconstruction.
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Torn MPFL on MRI
A ruptured medial patellofemoral ligament is the commonest MRI finding after dislocation, and the ligament that is reconstructed.
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Trochlear dysplasia
A shallow or flat trochlear groove (Dejour A–D) that fails to hold the kneecap — the anatomical driver behind many recurrent dislocators.
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Patella alta or high TT-TG
A high-riding kneecap (Insall-Salvati > 1.2) or a tibial tubercle-trochlear groove distance over 20 mm — anatomy that pulls the patella laterally.
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Hyperlaxity or torsional profile
Generalised ligamentous laxity (Beighton), femoral anteversion or external tibial torsion — assessed before surgery, sometimes needing osteotomy.
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Red flag: locked knee, unable to bear weight
A knee locked in flexion, unable to straighten or bear weight after a dislocation may have a loose osteochondral fragment — same-day A&E, not a clinic booking.
Procedure options
MPFL reconstruction is the start — not always the end.
What each option actually involves — and which anatomy it fits, based on the BASK-informed selection algorithm.
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MPFL reconstruction
The workhorse — a gracilis or semitendinosus tendon graft is fixed to the medial patella and the femur at the Schöttle point under fluoroscopy. Sufficient on its own for most recurrent dislocators with normal underlying anatomy.
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MPFL with InternalBrace augment
A synthetic suture-tape brace protects the graft during healing and rehabilitation. See our page on the InternalBrace for a longer explanation of the technique.
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Tibial tubercle transfer (Fulkerson)
The bony attachment of the patellar tendon is moved medially (and sometimes anteriorly) and re-fixed with screws — for a TT-TG over 20 mm, or to offload a painful patellofemoral joint.
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Trochleoplasty
The trochlear groove is deepened to accept the kneecap — reserved for severe trochlear dysplasia (Dejour B, C or D), done only in specialist centres, with a higher risk profile but far lower recurrence in severe dysplasia.
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Derotational osteotomy
For significant femoral anteversion or external tibial torsion — the femur or tibia is cut and rotated. A specialist, complex procedure reserved for a small subset of patients.
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Osteochondral fragment fixation
When a dislocation shears a piece of cartilage and bone from the patella or trochlea, the fragment is fixed with small screws or bio-absorbable pins — often combined with MPFL reconstruction.
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Arthroscopy and loose-body removal
Diagnostic arthroscopy is done at the start of every stabilisation — small chondral flaps, loose bodies and synovitis are dealt with before the reconstruction.
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Consultation only
An honest discussion of whether surgery is needed at all — many first dislocators do well with a proper six-month physio programme.
Our vetted UK network
A small panel of knee surgeons, we picked them.
Consultant knee surgeons across London, Manchester, Birmingham and the wider UK, each with a declared patellofemoral subspecialty. Not listed publicly — introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every knee surgeon in our network.
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Consultant knee surgeons with a declared patellofemoral subspecialty
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MRI plus CT with rotational profile before every surgical decision
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Trochleoplasty offered only by surgeons who do them regularly
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A named physiotherapy team for the six-month rehab, not a leaflet
Safety and rehab
What to expect afterwards — honestly.
Stabilisation is a safe, well-established operation. The things worth understanding are the six-month rehab, why femoral tunnel position matters, and the recurrence risks a good plan minimises.
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Rehab is longer than the operation
Ninety minutes in theatre, six months to full sport. Skip the physio and the graft will not protect you — this is not a fix-and-go operation.
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Femoral tunnel position is everything
The commonest cause of failed MPFL reconstruction is a mis-placed femoral tunnel. Insist on a surgeon who uses fluoroscopy to find the Schöttle point.
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Recurrent dislocation risk
Five to fifteen per cent of MPFL reconstructions re-dislocate — usually because underlying dysplasia or a high TT-TG was not addressed at the first operation.
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Stiffness and arthrofibrosis
Losing flexion is a real risk after any patellofemoral operation, especially trochleoplasty. Early controlled motion in the brace is what prevents it.
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Patellar fracture is rare but real
Bone tunnels through a small bone carry a small risk of fracture — technique and graft-tunnel size choice matter.
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Tubercle non-union or fragment fracture
When the tubercle is moved, the fragment can fail to unite or crack. Weight-bearing is restricted for six weeks specifically for this reason.
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Patellofemoral arthritis over decades
Stabilisation reduces future arthritis risk versus repeated dislocations, but it does not eliminate it. Cartilage damage from earlier dislocations does not undo itself.
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DVT, infection, CRPS
The standard surgical risks apply — small, but real. Prophylaxis, sterile technique and prompt review of any concern.
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Red flags after surgery
A sudden pop with re-dislocation, a hot swollen calf, fever, or spreading redness are not normal — call the team the same day.
Reading your operation note
Your operation note in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever combination of operations was performed, the note the surgeon sends you keeps to the same shape.
A quiet reminder
Surgical language is precise and can read coldly — we translate it for you.
If you would like us to talk you through the note and the physio protocol before your first review, just ask.
- 01 Header
Diagnosis and anatomical drivers
Number of dislocations, MPFL status on MRI, Dejour trochlear grade, Insall-Salvati and Caton-Deschamps patellar height, TT-TG on CT, and any torsional profile.
- 02 Technique
Which operations were done, and how
MPFL graft choice, femoral tunnel confirmation (Schöttle point on fluoroscopy), any tubercle transfer or trochleoplasty, and how each was fixed.
- 03 Findings
Arthroscopy — cartilage, loose bodies
Notes on the cartilage of the patella and trochlea, any chondral lesions, loose bodies removed, and whether any osteochondral fragment was fixed.
- 04 Impression
Brace, weight-bearing, physio plan
Read this first: hinged brace angles, weight-bearing status by week, when running and pivot sport are permitted, and the criteria for return to sport.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Kneecap stabilisation is usually covered when medically indicated, subject to your policy’s orthopaedic terms. We confirm cover — and any excess or shortfall — before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about kneecap stabilisation.
Quick answers on when surgery is needed, which operation fits which anatomy, cost, and return to sport.
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Do I need surgery after my first patellar dislocation?
Usually not. A first dislocation without a loose osteochondral fragment is managed with a brace and a proper six-month physio programme — VMO strengthening, glute activation, core and hip stability. Around 40 to 70 per cent do dislocate again, and that is when surgery is discussed. The exception is a first dislocation that fractures cartilage or bone — that is a surgical case from the start.
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What operation do I actually need?
It depends on your anatomy. For a recurrent dislocator with a normal trochlea and a TT-TG under 20 mm, MPFL reconstruction alone is usually sufficient. A TT-TG over 20 mm adds a tibial tubercle transfer. Severe trochlear dysplasia (Dejour B, C or D) may need a trochleoplasty. This is why we insist on CT with rotational profile before a plan is signed off.
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How long is recovery from MPFL reconstruction?
Six weeks in a hinged brace with partial weight-bearing on crutches, physio from week one, straight-line running at three to four months, and contact or pivot sport at six to nine months — measured against return-to-sport criteria, not the calendar alone.
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How much does private kneecap stabilisation cost in the UK?
Roughly £6,000–£12,000 for isolated MPFL reconstruction, £10,000–£16,000 with a tibial tubercle transfer, and £14,000–£20,000 for trochleoplasty. Prices vary by surgeon, hospital and implant choice — we come back with a firm quote within one working day.
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What is the Schöttle point and why does it matter?
The Schöttle point is a radiographic landmark on the medial side of the femur that marks the correct place to anchor the MPFL graft. If the tunnel is a few millimetres off, the graft becomes too tight in flexion or too loose in extension and the operation fails. Fluoroscopy in theatre is how a good surgeon confirms it.
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Will my kneecap dislocate again after surgery?
Five to fifteen per cent of MPFL reconstructions re-dislocate over ten years. The commoner cause of failure is under-treatment — MPFL alone in a knee that also needed a tubercle transfer or trochleoplasty. Combined procedures in the right anatomy get recurrence down to five per cent or less.
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Can I still play sport after kneecap stabilisation?
Yes — most patients return to their previous level of sport, including pivoting sports, provided they complete the rehab and meet return-to-sport criteria (Limb Symmetry Index ≥ 90 per cent, hop symmetry, Y-balance, and honest subjective confidence).
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When should I go to A&E?
A knee locked in flexion after a dislocation, unable to straighten or bear weight, may have a loose osteochondral fragment. That is a same-day A&E problem, not a clinic booking — early fixation preserves the cartilage.
Related treatments
Looking for something else?
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Knee preservation surgery
Cartilage and meniscal repair to protect the knee.
Learn more -
InternalBrace
Synthetic ligament augment used with MPFL reconstruction.
Learn more -
Kneecap joint replacement
Patellofemoral replacement for isolated arthritis.
Learn more -
All tests & procedures
Every test and procedure we arrange.
Learn more
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