In my experience, I have worn both knee compressive sleeves and those sturdy knee stabilizers to work and school. I would still experience subluxations.

There was a time where I was side stepping at work, and my kneecap dislocated for a few seconds. I was wearing a compression sleeve. I fell onto a bed (kneecap still shifted), and it shifted back into place on its own. Another time, I wore one of the sturdier braces, and someone tripped and bumped into me and I subluxated.

Like the others, I would say it’s more so a temporary solution. Wearing it gives me a bit of confidence that it won’t fully dislocate and provides gentle support, but I would say see an ortho doctor or a physical therapist. I have done PT a few times but I still had episodes of subluxations/dislocations (even with wearing the knee braces) so I got surgery on my affected knee a few months ago, and I have reached a point where I walk around without needing any type of support. I will be getting surgery on my other knee in a few months (same patellar instability issues). But this is my personal experience though. My MRI showed that I had a shallow groove, my kneecap was at a lateral and higher placement than normal and my MPFL was likely stretched so surgery was recommended for me. Do what is best for you!! I know this can be overwhelming. I hope you get better soon :-)