Patellar Dislocation and Subluxation Phase II Rehabilitation

These exercises are more advanced than phase I exercises. 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 exercise

This exercise warms up your muscles and joints and improves the movement and flexibility of your knee. This exercise also helps to relieve pain, numbness, and tingling.

Exercise A: Hamstring, doorway

1. Lie on your back in front of a doorway with your left / right leg resting against the wall and your other leg flat on the floor in the doorway. There should be a slight bend in your left / right knee.
2. Straighten your left / right knee. You should feel a stretch behind your knee or thigh. If you do not feel that, scoot your buttocks closer to the door.
3. Hold this position for __________ seconds.

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

Exercise B: Bridge (hip extensors)

1. Lie on your back on a firm surface with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor.
2. Tighten your buttocks muscles and lift your bottom off the floor until your trunk is level with your thighs.
   1. Do not arch your back.
   1. You should feel the muscles working in your buttocks and the back of your thighs. If you do not feel a stretch in those muscles, slide your feet 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) farther away from your buttocks.
3. Hold this position for __________ seconds.
4. Slowly lower your hips to the starting position.
5. Let your buttocks muscles relax completely between repetitions.

If this exercise is too easy, try doing it with your arms crossed over your chest or by lifting one leg while your bottom is up off the floor.

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

Exercise C: Step-ups (quadriceps)

1. Stand in front of a step, a thick book, or a step stool that is __________ tall.
2. Slowly step up with your left / right foot, keeping your knee in line with your hip and foot. Do not allow your knee to bend so far that you cannot see your toes. Hold onto a wall or counter for balance, but do not use it for support.
3. Slowly lower yourself to the starting position using gravity, not your muscles.

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

Exercise D: Wall slides (quadriceps)

1. Lean your back against a smooth wall or door, and walk your feet out 18–24 inches (46–61 cm) from it.
2. Place your feet hip-width apart.
3. Slowly slide down the wall or door until your knees bend __________ degrees. Keep your knees over your heels, not over your toes. Keep your knees in line with your hips.
4. Hold for __________ seconds.
5. Push through your heels to stand up to rest for __________ seconds after each repetition.

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

Exercise E: Straight leg raises (quadriceps/VMO)

1. Lie on your back with your left / right leg straight and your other leg bent.
2. Roll your left / right leg to the side so your toes point away from you and your inner thigh points up.
3. Tense the muscles in the front of your left / right thigh. You should see your kneecap slide up or see increased dimpling just above the knee. Your thigh may even shake a bit.
4. Keep these muscles tight and raise your leg 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) off the floor. Do not let your knee bend.
5. Hold for __________ seconds.
6. Keep these muscles tense as you lower your leg.
7. Relax the muscles slowly and completely.

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