I was in a motorcycle accident last year and tore the ligaments and tendons around mine. I was told that it would have been better if I had broken it. It kept popping out of place all the time and was extremely painful. Then, one time, I popped it back into place, and the very corner of my kneecap broke. It is finally doing better, but it has been over a year. Good luck! I wish you the best. Try not to use the pain killers all the time. They aren't really that good for you. It took me a while to get off of those too.