What is patellofemoral instability?

Patellofemoral instability refers to the kneecap (patella) slipping out of its normal position, often leading to dislocation. It commonly affects young adults, athletes, and individuals with joint hypermobility or alignment issues.

What causes the kneecap to dislocate?

Kneecap dislocation can result from trauma, twisting injuries, or anatomical factors such as a shallow trochlear groove or poor patellar alignment. It is more common in active individuals and those with ligament laxity.

How is patellofemoral instability diagnosed?

Diagnosis involves clinical examination and imaging such as X-rays, 3T MRI, or CT scans to assess bone structure, cartilage damage, and alignment. Professor Chinmay Gupte performs a full biomechanical assessment during your consultation.

Do I need surgery for a dislocating kneecap?

Not always. Many first-time dislocations can be treated with physiotherapy. Surgery is recommended for recurrent dislocations or if imaging shows structural issues like ligament rupture or bone misalignment.

What surgeries can help stabilise the kneecap?

Procedures include MPFL reconstruction, trochleoplasty, tibial tubercle osteotomy, or lateral release, depending on the patient’s anatomy and dislocation severity. Professor Gupte tailors surgery based on each individual case.

What is a children's ACL injury?

A children's ACL injury refers to a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in the knee, often caused by sports-related activities. In children, these injuries must be managed carefully to avoid damage to the growth plates.

How is ACL surgery different in children?

Children require growth-sparing ACL reconstruction techniques, such as all-epiphyseal or partial transphyseal methods, to protect open growth plates and ensure proper bone development.

Does every child with an ACL tear need surgery?

Not always. Some children can be managed with physiotherapy and activity modification. Surgery is recommended for ongoing instability or high-risk sports involvement.

What is the recovery time after paediatric ACL surgery?

Recovery typically takes 9 to 12 months, including physiotherapy, rehab milestones, and return-to-sport clearance under specialist guidance.

Who is the best children’s ACL surgeon in London?

Professor Chinmay Gupte is a highly experienced consultant orthopaedic surgeon specialising in children’s ACL injuries. He offers expert, growth-sparing ACL surgery at the Sportshealing Clinic in London.

Holistic knee care, personalised to return your knee back to optimal performance

  
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Professor Associate Chinmay Gupte Leading Knee Surgeon in London

Welcome to the official website of Professor Chinmay Gupte, widely recognised as one of the best knee surgeons in London. With over 20 years of experience, Prof. Gupte leads a holistic, evidence-based approach to knee health, treating everything from sports injuries to complex ligament reconstruction.

🦵 Specialist in Adult and children's ACL reconstruction, meniscus surgery, kneecap/patellofemoral surgery, robotic total and unicompartmental knee replacement, and cartilage restoration
🔬 Access to state-of-the-art 3T and 1.5T Knee MRI in London
🏥 Consultations available at Sportshealing Clinic and top London hospitals

Whether you’re an athlete, weekend warrior, or struggling with knee pain, we’re here to help you move confidently again.

Why Patients Choose Professor Gupte

✅ London’s top ACL surgeon with international experience
✅ Trusted by Olympians, footballers, and high-performing professionals
✅ Personalised care pathway with advanced diagnostics and rehab

Explore More:

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Chinmay Gupte

PhD, FRCS (Tr & Orth), MA (Oxon), BMBCh (Oxon)
Knee and sports injury specialist

"To get the best results in healing you, I believe in getting to know your knee and how it matters to you; I then apply 25 years of academic, medical and sporting experience, to provide the correct treatment, at the right time, using an evidence based approach that is tailored to you.”

Medical conference with a speaker presenting a slide about Trochlear OCD and chronic recurrent subluxation, with doctors seated on stage and an audience watching.

5 Facts about the knee

(by a London Knee Surgeon)

The knee is a highly intelligent organ of the body that Mr Gupte has been fascinated with since he started his PhD in knee ligaments and meniscus injuries 24 years ago. In this video, he introduces the basics of knee anatomy and biomechanics.

If you have knee pain, an injury or are simply interested in finding out more about the knee, please read on have a look through the website.

Knee anatomy video

About Mr Gupte

Listed as one of the “Top knee surgeons in the London, UK” Mr Chinmay Gupte is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon and Clinical Reader (Associate Professor) in knee and trauma surgery at Imperial College, London, which encompasses St Mary’s and Charing Cross Hospitals.

As an ex professional sportsman who has a PhD in meniscofemoral knee ligament research, Mr Gupte is a specialist with a national and international pedigree in treating knee conditions.

As well as being a surgeon, doctor and academic, Chinmay is also an ex sportsman, father and son. As such, he empathises with the apprehension and concern that musculoskeletal conditions can create not only in the patient, but also their close relatives. Thus he strives to achieve a patient-centred approach in all his practice.

Chinmay is a consultant orthopaedic Surgeon and Clinical Reader (Associate Professor) in knee surgery at Imperial College, London, which encompasses St Mary’s and Charing Cross Hospitals. He is also director of the Wellington knee Unit in London, the Uk’s first dedicated knee clinic with a history spanning 30 years.

Through his extensive clinical experience and in-depth research, Chinmay has developed expertise in:

The diagnosis and treatment of sports knee injuries and knee arthritis
Childhood and adolescent knee conditions and injuries

Specific knee conditions Mr Gupte treats are:

Anterior cruciate ligament tears in adults and children
Posterior cruciate tears and collateral/posterolateral injuries
Meniscal injuries, in adults and children
Patella (kneecap) instability, dislocation and pain
Osteochondral and chondral injuries
Sports knee injuries in elite players and club sports
Knee arthritis

Multiligament knee trauma, dislocations and fracture surgery.

He performs both arthroscopic (keyhole) and open procedures, in particular cruciate ligament surgery, meniscal repair, patellar stabilisation, children's knee surgery and both unicompartmental and total knee replacement using the MAKO robot.

Mr Gupte is a specialist knee surgeon with over 20 years experience in knee conditions, and has an active research and teaching interest in knee problems.

Independent reviews