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 of Schenectady, P.C.
Injury Prevention Tips and News

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Did you know, due to anatomical differences in the pelvis and hips females are more susceptible to patellar instability than men? The risk is greater in women who have a predisposition due to anatomic asymmetries at the knee.
  
   Office Locations
 
Schenectady
1533 Union Street
Schenectady, NY 12309
(518) 381-9166
 
Scotia/Glenville
42 Saratoga Rd.
Glenville,NY 12302
(518) 399-6861
 
Rotterdam/Guilderland
3434 Carman Rd.
Schenectady, NY 12303
(518) 356-7445
 
Clifton Park
17 Halfmoon Executive  Park  Dr.
Clifton Park, NY 12065
(518) 371-6777
 
Latham
1182 Troy Schenectady Rd
Suite LL02
Latham, NY 12110
(518)220-9705
 
Troy
1 Conway Court
Troy, NY 12180
(518) 273-2715
 
West Sand Lake
43 Mall
West Sand Lake, NY 12196
(518) 674-1744  

Amsterdam
178 Clizbe Ave 
Amsterdam, NY 12010
(518) 842-1425
 
Tamarac
Tamarac Plaza
PO Box 118
3991 State Rte. 2
Cropseyville, NY 12052
(518) 279-4610

Ballston Spa
220 Church Ave.
Ballston Spa, NY 12020
(518) 885-1541


 
Hand Therapy at Guilderland Accepting New Patients
 
 
Located within our Rotterdam/Guilderland office is Hand Therapy at Guilderland. Sheryl Sturn OTR/L, CHT is available for all hand therapy needs.
 
Call 630-6167
to schedule an appointment.

 

 
 
 January/February 2012      
Treatment of Patellar
Instability 

 

 

     Patellar instability is a condition in which a person's knee cap or patella subluxes or moves in and out of it's normal resting position in the groove at the end of the femur. If it moves out too far and is no longer in contact with the groove in the femur it is called a dislocation. This condition usually occurs in childhood to young adulthood. Due to anatomical differences in the pelvis and hips females are more susceptible.

     Most cases of recurrent patellar subluxations or dislocations occur during sporting activities that involve twisting or rotation of the knee such as soccer or basketball. Other causes are direct trauma to the knee (falls or car accidents) or underlying anatomic factors such as misalignment of the patella in the groove, weak quadriceps muscles or congenital bony changes that causes incongruent positioning of the patella on the femur.

     Severe dislocations or subluxations that do not respond to conservative care may respond to surgery. Dislocations that do not self reduce will need a doctor to use gentle force to push patella back into place. Any bony or cartilage damage as result of the trauma may require arthroscopic surgery to correct. Surgery to correct patellar alignment or tracking may require changing how the muscles (quadriceps) pull on the patella by shifting it's bony attachment on the tibia or releasing the fibers that run along the outside of the patella that may be pulling it too much to the outside.

     Physical therapy is frequently used to conservatively to manage patellar instability. Exercises are prescribed to strengthen the (quadriceps and hamstrings) muscles around the thighs as well as the hip musculature. Manual therapy techniques are employed to stretch or mobilize tight tissue around the knee. Modification of jumping, landing, and squatting techniques will be addressed as well for the athletic population. In acute cases your therapist may need to use passive modalities such as ultrasound or electric stimulation to help manage pain or swelling. Bracing of the knee may also be recommended.

     Patellar instability is a condition that often responds favorably to conservative care. Severe cases will require surgery followed by post-operative therapy to help regain function and restore normal levels of activity in the future.

 

References

1) Web Md

2) Wikipedia

3) About.Com/Orthopedics

4) American Academy of Orthopedics

5) Sportsmd.com

6) KneePainInfo

 

 

We Want To Hear From You 
We want our newsletter to be specific to the needs of our clients. We would like your help to do this. Please feel free to email any requests for specific topics to be addressed or questions you might have regarding physical therapy and we will do our best to address them in upcoming newsletters. Email requests to ptrotterdam@aol.com attn. Kevin.

  
          Tip of the Month
         Exercises for Patellar Instability

These exercises are examples of the type of exercises performed to treat patellar instability. They are not meant to be a substition for formal treatment.  
  
1) Wall/Mini Squats Mini Squats
Stand with back against a wall. Slowly bend knees and slide your back down wall. Hold for a count of 3 seconds. Repeat 10-12 repetitions 3x/week. Start with the picture A and progress to picture B as you get stronger
 
2) Straight Leg Raising
SLR
Lay on you back as shown. Contract the muscle on the top of your thigh and slowly lift your leg up as high as your opposite knee. Hold for a count of 3 seconds and return to the floor. Repeat 15 repetitions 3x/week

Please consult your physician before starting these exercises if you have a history of knee pain.