Introduction: The acute patellar dislocation represents approximately 3 % of knee injuries and is the second most common cause of hemarthrosis of the knee. When a dislocation occurs, the patella slips from the trochlear groove, most often laterally. Patellar dislocations are more common in people who are exposed to severe physical strains, younger people and women. Purpose: By reviewing the professional and scientific literature, we examined the most frequently used methods of physiotherapy carried out on patients with operatively or conservatively treated patellar dislocation. Methods: A PubMed database was used to find literature. The following inclusion criteria were used: patellar dislocation, comparison of operative and conservative treatment, randomized controlled trial (RCT), access to the full text, and text in Slovene and English. We excluded studies older than 10 years. Results: During the search for literature, thirty articles were reviewed. Seven randomized controlled trials published between 2008 and 2016 have been included in the literature review. Research results show that, after patellar dislocation, the knee joint is immobilized for 3 weeks or its range of motion is limited for 6 weeks. In the acute phase, cryotherapy is recommended. Kinesiotherapy is the most commonly used method of physiotherapy in the treatment process, more precisely, strengthening of the quadriceps muscle. In the process of strengthening, we begin with exercises with isometric contraction, followed by exercises in a closed and in an open kinetic chain. Some authors recommend strengthening of the vastus medialis muscle, which was done only in one of the seven randomized controlled trial. Electrotherapy is used very rarely. Discussion and conclusion: Although the knee joint was immobilized or its range of motion was limited in all seven randomized control studies in conservatively treated patellar dislocations, there is no research to prove that the results of treatment are better that way. There often arises the question of whether it is better to strengthen the whole quadriceps muscle or should there be greater focus on the vastus medialis muscle. The research that explored this dilemma leans in favour of strengthening the whole quadriceps muscle.
|
