Patellofemoral
Injuries
Taelar Shelton, MS, ATC, AT/L
Patellar Fracture
 MOI: direct or indirect trauma,
severe pull of the patellar
tendon when the knee is semiflexed or a fall on the knee
 S&S: hemorrhage, joint
effusion, swelling, capsular
tearing, separation of bone
fragmnets
 Rx: x-ray conformation, ice
with compression, splint and
crutches for walking, referral
to doctor, usually immobilized
for 2-3 months
Subluxation/Dislocation of the
Patella
 MOI- plant and twist
 S&S, obvious deformity,
usually lateral dislocation,
VMO weakness, decrease in
function, swelling, P! and
decreased ROM
 Rx- reduction by a physician,
immobilize, crutches, RICE,
work on quad strengthening,
patellar tracking
Chondromalacia
 MOI- abnormal patellar
tracking, tibial rotation,
pronated foot, anteverted hip,
genuvalgum, gradual
degeneration
 S&S- gradual degeneration of
cartilage, p! with activities,
swelling
 Rx- take care of the
mechanism, rest prn, surgical
intervention
Larsen-Johansson Disease
 MOI- at inferior pole of the
patella, repetitive strain of the
patellar tendon
 S&S- swelling, P! and x-ray
 Rx- ice, rest, wait to stress the
knee until the growth plates
are closed, isometrics
Osgood-Schlatter Disease
 MOI- excessive strain of the
patellar tendon
 S&S- enlarged tibial tuberosity
 Rx- rest, ice after activities,
strengthen quads and
hamstrings
Patellar Tendon Rupture
 MOI- sudden powerful quad
contraction, usually previous
Hx
 S&S- obvious deformity,
swelling, P! and patella alta
 Rx- surgical repair
Patellar Tendonitis
 MOI- jumping or kicking that is
repeated frequently that leads
to degeneration
 S&S- P! after activity
progresses to during and after
then gets worse after activity
 Rx- avoid the mechanism, use
heating modalities prior to
activity, ice after, transverse
friction massage, rest prn
IT Band Friction Syndrome
 MOI- repetitive running or
biking, usually have
malalignment problems
 S&S- p! on distal insertion,
+Ober’s test
 Rx- PRT, fix the malalignment,
take the mechanism away
Collapsing Knee
 MOI- week quads, chronic
instability of the MCL, ACL or
posterior capsule; torn
meniscus; loose bodies;
subluxating patella
 S&S- knee feels like it will
collapse or give way
 Rx- quad strengthening, fix
the mechanism of injury