Rehab for knee injury.

[nbondswell]

Bon from Bradford.
Possibly look further up at the lateral and central quads as well a ITB and TFL.
I have found when it comes to patella tendon and patella problems taking the strain off them has proven to give me good results.

Hands on therapy firstly with connective tissue manipulations to the lateral and central quad, ITB, TFL, glut med. Then followed up with deep mobs to the same muscles and ITB each on a stretch. Then hold relax to the same musculature and stretch even the ITB although it is fibrous the stretch is useful.

Then i do the same to the gastrocs and hamstrings, i.e. CTM, Deep mobs on a stretch, hold relax stretch, static stretch if required.

Do not forget to work the retinaculum around the knee laterally, medially and superiorly.

Then get on to the patella tendon which is possibly more likely to be sub acute to chronic by now. I like deep tissue manips till numb then ultra sound ( ahh did i swear). I tend to use it as i was taught by an "old fashioned physio" ensuring it is not thermal but used a high level with the head moving quickly over a focal point.

Then i use ice but i use it only until the area is numb then i take the ice off and replace when the area has returned to body temp. I do this three times.

I apologise if this is prescriptive but it is what i do basically.

The purists among you may suggest i have used lots of techniques and targeted lots of areas so how can i as a physio tell what works. In the world of private practise the patient, bank manager and the kids do not care. The patient wants a result the bank manager wants the loan paid and the kids want the latests clothes. It is about results and this i think will give a positive result with appropriate continued treatment and rehab.

I hope it helps.