how long does it take for a dislocated knee to heal

A dislocated knee, specifically a dislocated kneecap (patella), typically takes about 6 to 8 weeks to heal fully. During this period, a person can usually return to normal daily activities within 6 to 8 weeks and may resume sports after around 3 to 4 months, depending on the severity of the injury and treatment methods. Healing involves rest, wearing a knee brace or splint initially, pain management, and starting exercises and physical therapy early to regain strength and range of motion. Surgery is usually only necessary if there are fractures, ligament tears, or recurrent dislocations. Recovery times can vary somewhat based on individual factors and injury severity, but the general healing timeframe is around 6 weeks for non-surgical cases.