Patellar Dislocation and Subluxation Phase I Rehabilitation After Surgery

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. If told by your health care provider, wear your brace while you do these exercises.

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 and stiffness.

Exercise A: Knee extension, passive

1. Sit with your left / right heel propped on a chair, a coffee table, or a footstool. Do not have anything under your knee to support it.
2. Allow your leg muscles to relax, letting gravity straighten out your knee. You should feel a stretch behind your left / right knee.
3. If told by your health care provider, deepen the stretch by placing a __________ weight on your thigh, just above your kneecap.
4. Hold this position for __________ seconds.

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

Exercise B: Knee flexion, passive (supine)

1. Start this exercise in one of these positions:
   1. Lying on the floor in front of an open doorway with your left / right heel and foot lightly touching the wall.
   1. Lying on your bed with both of your feet on the wall or headboard.
2. Without using any effort, allow gravity to let your foot slide down the wall slowly until you feel a gentle stretch in the front of your left / right knee, or until your knee reaches the angle that your health care provider tells you.
3. Hold this stretch for __________ seconds.
4. Return the leg to the starting position, using your healthy leg to do the work or to help if needed.

Repeat __________ times. Complete this stretch __________ 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.

Exercise C: Quadriceps, isometric

1. Lie on your back with your left / right leg extended and your other knee bent.
2. Gradually tense the muscles in the front of your left / right thigh. You should see your kneecap slide up toward your hip or see increased dimpling just above the knee. This motion will push the back of your knee down toward the floor.
3. Hold the muscle as tight as you can without increasing your pain for __________ seconds.
4. Relax the muscles slowly and completely.

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

Exercise D: 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.
3. Keep these muscles tight as you raise your leg 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) off the floor. Do not let your knee bend.
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 E: 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. Lift your top leg 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) while keeping your toes pointed straight ahead.
3. Hold this position for __________ seconds.
4. Slowly lower your leg to the starting position.
5. Let your muscles relax completely.

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

Exercise F: Straight leg raises (hip extensors)

1. Lie on your abdomen on a firm surface.
2. Tense the muscles in your buttocks and lift your left / right leg about 4 inches (10 cm). Keep your knee straight as you lift your leg. If you cannot lift your leg 4 inches (10 cm) without arching your back, place a pillow under your hips.
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.