Guest guest Posted August 20, 2009 Report Share Posted August 20, 2009 Hi Jim, I'm not sure what you mean by knee cap rotation. I had an issue with the knee cap slipping out to the side (subluxation) due to weakness and foot/ankle imbalance. Had surgery to correct it. Is that what you mean? Quad muscles are needed to hold the knee cap in place. If you're experiencing quad weakness (especially the vastus medialis) it can cause the knee cap to track (and wear) incorrectly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2009 Report Share Posted August 20, 2009 Hello Jim, I had many years of probs with my knee dislocating. In 2000 I had patella realignment (stabilized it), in Nov, 07 I had the knee fused, in July 09 I had an amputation above the knee with no regrets. Jill C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 21, 2009 Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 That's what my knee cap does.....and it hurts like hell!to What do besides surgery?............ Geri Hi Jim, I'm not sure what you mean by knee cap rotation. I had an issue with the knee cap slipping out to the side (subluxation) due to weakness and foot/ankle imbalance. Had surgery to correct it. Is that what you mean? Quad muscles are needed to hold the knee cap in place. If you're experiencing quad weakness (especially the vastus medialis) it can cause the knee cap to track (and wear) incorrectly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 21, 2009 Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 Hi Geri, The vastus medialis oblique muscle (VMO) is located on the inside of the thigh. When you straighten your leg and tighten the muscles, there's a quad muscle on the outside and one on the inside near the knee. It's that inside muscle near the knee that needs to be strong to stabilize the knee cap. I would suggest PT, but for you I believe you said it wasn't an option. An alternative is to ask your doctor for a few exercises you can do at home Also, you can look online for VMO strengthening exercises. Some of the exercises don't require any movement, just tightening (isometic). You just have to be careful, since it's easy to damage the knee with improper exercising. PT advice is best, even if you just go once or twice to have them show you the exercises in person, that would help. I've done VMO rehab off and on for over 20 years. The most successful exercise for me was an exercise on the leg extension machine that a personal trainer taught me. The machine where I could raise each leg separately was the best, so each leg got equally worked, no compensating. Here's the exercise I did: Sit at the extension machine, then using lightest weight, fully extend leg and hold it a couple of seconds, then slowly lower leg down 30 degrees (not the full range of motion-just 30 degrees-very important to protect knee cap), then fully extend again. When fully extended, squeeze quad muscles tightly for a couple of seconds, repeat exercise. Down slowly to 30 degrees, back up, squeeze. Two sets of 15-20, twice a week. That's what I did for many years and it helped. Can't do it anymore and I've had an increase in problems with the knee as a result, i.e. overextending, feeling of giving out, increased pain, etc. For me, trying to keep the VMO strong was definitely beneficial when I could do it.. I suppose it's possible to do this same exercise at home, sitting in a supportive chair, using no weight. The key is squeezing tightly when fully extended. There are also knee braces that can help. Ask your doctor, if you can. to hold the knee cap in place. If you're experiencing quad weakness (especially the vastus medialis) it can cause the knee cap to track (and wear) incorrectly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 21, 2009 Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 Hello , Thanks for all the information. The doctor said my knee cap had rotated, but you explain the mechanism much more clearly along with the proper medical vocabulary. This doc isn't big on PT, which is strange because when he cut my knee five years ago, he insisted that I go. It really helped a lot! Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 21, 2009 Report Share Posted August 21, 2009 , I haven't the funds for PT. Thanks for the info...... Geri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 22, 2009 Report Share Posted August 22, 2009 Hi there Jim, Oh yeah my daughter, when she was 16 had to have surgery for her kneecap for not staying in place, Then a year later the other one. The surgeon, yep CMT related for sure. He had to work on her muscles around the patella to help it stay in place. She is 29 now, two kids, and a two story house, and I sure do wish she would excersize to keep those muscles strong. Elaine Elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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