Re. Mangine et al., POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT OF THE PATELLOFEMORAL PATIENT, The Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy, 28(5), 1998, pp. 323-335
Postoperative management of the patellofemoral patient requires the cl
inician to implement a program which reestablishes functional activiti
es of daily living. This paper will discuss the postoperative manageme
nt of the patellofemoral patient. Effective rehabilitation techniques
are needed to progress the patient Surgical procedures, such as a late
ral retinacular release, proximal realignment, and distal realignments
, are frequently utilized techniques; however, long-term clinical outc
ome studies are lacking. The postoperative protocols discussed utilize
an evaluation-based treatment approach model. The model defines evalu
ation techniques, leading the clinician to a specific rehabilitation p
athway. The crucial element of postoperative management focuses on a t
reatment and exercise approach similar to the nonoperative management
Inappropriate or overly aggressive exercises may lead to possible neur
ologic dysfunction or delayed muscle function. The clinician must reco
gnize that patients may exhibit articular cartilage damage, and, thus,
rehabilitation programs must be designed to minimize the potential ri
sks of progressing this lesion.