Patellar Dislocation and Subluxation Phase I Rehabilitation

Ask your health care provider which exercises are safe for you. Do exercises exactly as told by your health care provider and adjust them as directed. It is normal to feel mild stretching, pulling, tightness, or discomfort as you do these exercises, but you should stop right away if you feel sudden pain or your pain gets worse. Do not begin these exercises until told by your health care provider.

Stretching and range of motion exercises

These exercises warm up your muscles and joints and improve the movement and flexibility of your knee. These exercises also help to relieve pain, numbness, and tingling.

Exercise A: Knee flexion, active-assisted

1. Lie on your back with both knees straight. If this causes back discomfort, bend your healthy knee so your foot is flat on the floor.
2. Slowly slide your left / right heel back toward your buttocks as far as you can without feeling pain.
3. Hook your healthy leg to the top of your left / right shin and pull back to gently help your knee bend further. Do not force your knee to bend.
4. Hold for __________ seconds.
5. Slowly slide your left / right heel back to the starting position.

Repeat __________ times. Complete this exercise __________ times a day.

Strengthening exercises

These exercises build strength and endurance in your knee. Endurance is the ability to use your muscles for a long time, even after they get tired. If told by your health care provider, wear your brace while you do these exercises.

Exercise B: Quadriceps, isometric

1. Lie on your back with your left / right leg extended and your other knee bent. If told by your health care provider, put a small pillow or rolled towel under your knee.
2. Slowly tense the muscles in the front of your left / right thigh. You should see your knee cap slide up toward your hip or see increased dimpling just above the knee. This motion will push the back of your knee toward the floor.
3. For ___________ seconds, hold the muscle as tight as you can without increasing your pain.
4. Relax the muscles slowly and completely.

Repeat __________ times. Complete this exercise __________ times a day.

Exercise C: Straight leg raises (quadriceps)

1. Lie on your back with your left / right leg extended and your other knee bent.
2. Tense the muscles in the front of your left / right thigh. You should see your kneecap slide up or see increased dimpling just above your knee. Your thigh may even shake a bit.
3. Keep these muscles tight as you raise your leg 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) off the floor.
4. Hold for __________ seconds.
5. Keep these muscles tense as you lower your leg.
6. Relax the muscles slowly and completely.

Repeat __________ times. Complete this exercise __________ times a day.

Exercise D: Straight leg raises (hip abductors)

1. Lie on your side with your left / right leg in the top position. Lie so your head, shoulder, knee, and hip line up. You may bend your lower knee to help you keep your balance.
2. Roll your hips slightly forward so your hips are stacked directly over each other and your left / right knee is facing forward.
3. Leading with your heel, lift your top leg 4–6 inches (10–15 cm). You should feel the muscles in your outer hip lifting.
   1. Do not let your foot drift forward.
   1. Do not let your knee roll toward the ceiling.
4. Hold this position for __________ seconds.
5. Slowly lower your leg to the starting position.
6. Let your muscles relax completely.

Repeat __________ times. Complete this exercise __________ times a day.

Exercise E: Straight leg raises (hip extensors)

1. Lie on your abdomen on a firm surface. You can put a pillow under your hips if that is more comfortable.
2. Tense the muscles in your buttocks and lift your left / right leg about 4–6 inches (10–15 cm). Keep your knee straight as you lift your leg.
3. Hold this position for __________ seconds.
4. Slowly lower your leg to the starting position.
5. Let your leg relax completely.

Repeat __________ times. Complete this exercise __________ times a day.

Exercise F: Straight leg raises (hip adductors)

1. Lie on your side with your left / right leg in the bottom position. Lie so your head, shoulder, knee, and hip line up.
2. Bend your top leg and place that foot in front of or behind your other leg to help you keep your balance.
3. Roll your hips slightly forward so your hips are stacked directly over each other and your knee is facing forward.
4. Tense the muscles in your inner thigh and lift your bottom leg 4–6 inches (10–15 cm).
5. Hold this position for __________ seconds.
6. Slowly lower your leg to the starting position.
7. Let your muscles relax completely.

Repeat __________ times. Complete this exercise __________ times a day.