Recovery from Patellar Subluxation: Important Considerations
Introduction
Physical therapy is an invaluable part of the healing process for many injuries, including patellar subluxation. It helps not only with recovering from an injury but also prevents reinjury and keeps your muscles strong. In this article, we’ll look at how physical therapy can help recover from a patellar subluxation and what you should expect during treatment.
The first step to understanding how physical therapy helps with patellar subluxation is getting a good diagnosis. Your doctor will need to assess your condition in order to prescribe the best course of action when it comes to physical therapy. Once they have identified the cause of your pain or discomfort, they can create a proper plan for your rehabilitation.
What To Expect At Physical Therapy
Physical therapy for patellar subluxation can vary depending on the severity of the injury and how long it has been present. Generally, it includes exercises to improve strength in the muscles surrounding the knee joint and help with mobility. Your physical therapist will provide hands-on care to assess your condition and create a customized plan for rehabilitation that suits your particular needs.
During treatment, you might experience some discomfort as your body heals from the initial injury or adjusts to new exercises prescribed by your physical therapist. It’s important to communicate regularly with them about any issues you’re having so they can modify or adjust any treatments as needed. Expect to see improvements over time as you continue with regular sessions.
What Types Of Exercises Might You Do?
Your therapist will create a plan to suit your specific needs, but some exercises commonly used to help with patellar subluxation include:
- Quad sets – These are done while lying on your back and involve tightening the muscles around the knee joint. This helps strengthen the quadriceps muscle group which supports the knee.
- Hamstring stretches – Stretching tight hamstring muscles can help reduce tension in the knee joint and make it easier for you to move without pain.
- Gluteal strengthening exercises – Strengthening muscles in the glutes, or buttocks, can help support your kneecap better and reduce stress on it when moving and walking.
- Balance exercises – These activities help improve the stability of your knee joint by improving your coordination and reaction time.
How Long Does Recovery Take?
The length of recovery from patellar subluxation depends on how long you have had the injury and your individual progress with rehabilitation. Generally, it can take up to a few months for symptoms to resolve completely. You may need to continue physical therapy until all pain has subsided and you are able to move without difficulty.
How Physical Therapy Prevents Reinjury
Physical therapy focuses on strengthening weak muscles that support the knee joint, restoring normal range of motion, and helping you learn proper form when performing activities that involve movement. All of these things together can help reduce the risk of re-injury by making sure that you are able to move with proper technique and support.
Conclusion
Physical therapy can be a great way to help recover from patellar subluxation. It is important to work closely with your therapist to ensure that you are following the right exercises for your particular injury. By doing so, you can reduce pain and improve mobility, as well as lower the risk of reinjury in the future.
