First-time patellar dislocation is a first episode where the kneecap (patella) comes fully out of its normal groove. It most often shifts to the outside (lateral side) of the knee. It is commonly discussed in sports medicine, orthopedics, emergency care, and physical therapy. It is used as a clinical label that helps describe the injury pattern and guide evaluation and follow-up planning.

Recurrent patellar dislocation is a condition where the kneecap (patella) repeatedly slips out of its normal groove in the thigh bone (femur). Most episodes shift the patella toward the outside of the knee, then it may go back in on its own or require assistance. It is commonly discussed in orthopedics, sports medicine, and physical therapy because it can cause instability, pain, and repeat injury. The term is used as a diagnosis and as a way to describe a pattern of knee instability over time.

Patellar instability means the kneecap (patella) does not stay centered as it moves. It can range from a brief “shift” to a partial slip (subluxation) or a full dislocation. It is commonly discussed in sports medicine, orthopedics, and physical therapy. People often notice pain, a sense of giving way, or fear that the kneecap will slip again.

Runner’s knee is a common term for pain felt around the front of the knee, often near or behind the kneecap. It is most often used to describe patellofemoral pain related to activity and overuse. It is commonly discussed in running, sports medicine, orthopedics, and physical therapy settings. It can describe a symptom pattern rather than one single injury seen on a scan.

PFPS most commonly refers to **patellofemoral pain syndrome**. It describes **pain around or behind the kneecap (patella)** related to the patellofemoral joint. PFPS is widely used in **sports medicine, orthopedics, and physical therapy** to describe a common pattern of anterior knee pain. It is a **clinical label**, not a single disease with one proven cause.

Patellofemoral pain syndrome is a common cause of pain at the front of the knee or around the kneecap. It is often felt during activities that load a bent knee, such as stairs, squatting, or running. It describes a pain pattern and clinical diagnosis rather than a single, visible injury. The term is used in orthopedics, sports medicine, and physical therapy to guide evaluation and care planning.

All-inside meniscus repair is an arthroscopic technique used to stitch a torn meniscus inside the knee joint. It is commonly performed for meniscus tears that are considered repairable rather than removable. The term “all-inside” refers to placing the repair from within the joint using arthroscopic portals and specialized devices. It is often discussed in sports medicine and orthopedic surgery for active patients with acute knee injuries.

Inside-out meniscus repair is a surgical technique used to stitch a torn knee meniscus back together. It is most often performed during knee arthroscopy, using sutures passed from inside the joint to the outside of the knee. It is commonly used for certain repairable tear patterns, especially in the mid-body and posterior (back) portions of the meniscus. The goal is to preserve meniscus tissue rather than remove it.

Meniscal root repair is a surgical technique used to reattach a torn meniscus “root” back to bone. A meniscal root is the meniscus attachment point near the center of the knee on the tibia. This procedure is most commonly performed arthroscopically (through small incisions with a camera). It is used in sports medicine and orthopedic knee care when a root tear threatens joint mechanics.

Meniscocapsular separation is an injury where the meniscus detaches from the joint capsule at its outer edge. It is most often discussed in sports medicine and orthopedic knee care. It can cause pain or a sense that the knee is unstable or “catching.” Clinicians use the term to describe a specific tear pattern that may be hard to see without careful evaluation.