Patellar mobilizations are a hands-on treatment used to address movement limitations in the knee joint.
This article will provide details on patellar mobilization, including its potential uses and benefits.
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What Is Patellar Mobilization?
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Side-to-side mobilizations may also be utilized if the kneecap is not tracking properly in the groove.
This treatment is also frequently coupled with exercise in an effort to sustain the benefits after the therapy session.
Patellar mobilizations can be a valuable treatment for a wide variety of musculoskeletal knee conditions.
This is particularly true if pain or stiffness in the joint is impairing your ability to function.
Here are several specific scenarios where this technique has proven to be helpful.
As this occurs, the joint can become stiff and range of motion may gradually diminish.
Patellar mobilization can help to restore some of this lost movement.
Duringphysical therapy, patellar mobilizations commonly play a role in regaining any range of motion that has been lost.
This is true for many types of injuries, including ligament sprains, muscular strains, andpatellar fractures.
Your therapist will commonly glide your kneecap into the tight direction and then relax theirpressure.
The mobilizations will continue to oscillate between a stretched and relaxed position for several minutes at a time.
This can vary depending on your individual diagnosis and the goals of the rehab treatment.
While you may feel stretching or strain during this hands-on technique, patellar mobilizations should generally not cause pain.
Benefits
Patellar mobilizations have been shown to have a number of specific benefits.
This treatment can be helpful in achieving full knee extension early on after an ACL reconstructionsurgery.
Summary
Patellar mobilization is a hands-on treatment where pressure is applied to the kneecap.
It is typically administered along with other strengthening exercises and stretches.
Fortunately, patellar mobilizations may be of benefit.
This hands-on technique is usually performed at various angles of knee flexion and accompanied by stretches.
Because of this, patellar mobilizations are rarely performed in isolation.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Patellofemoralpain syndrome.
