Rehabilitation after a knee fracture

The knee joint is constantly under increased stress, so it often lends itself to various injuries. Complicated injuries include a broken knee. In traumatology, several types and types of such injuries are distinguished, but any of them requires proper treatment, followed by a rehabilitation period that can take more than 3 months. The main thing during the recovery period is the development of the knee joint after a fracture , which allows to normalize the anatomical structure of bones, cartilage and muscle tissues.

Any knee injury, in which the integrity of the articular surface is compromised, requires an individual approach with a mandatory recovery period. The sooner the patient performs the procedures recommended by the doctor, the sooner he will be able to get back on his feet.

Recovery steps

The main stage of rehabilitation after a knee fracture is considered to be exercises that will help not only develop the joint faster, but also improve blood flow and metabolic processes in the tissues. A set of exercises can begin immediately after immobilization, while you can perform them without outside help.

A rehabilitation doctor will help develop a training scheme, since amateur performance at any stage of recovery can have unpleasant consequences. The main thing is to follow the recommendations of the doctor and not overdo it with physical activity.

Immobilization period

After a fracture, the knee joint will be immobilized in a cast for a long time. During this period, there is a violation of blood flow, ligaments and muscles can atrophy, compression of nerve endings occurs. Such changes can lead to neuropathy and other unpleasant consequences.

The first days after the plaster is applied, the patient is not recommended to get out of bed for up to 10 days, but already during this period light physical exercises are shown in the prone position:

• Flexion and extension of the toes and feet.
• Tension and relaxation of the quadriceps muscle of the diseased leg is recommended.
• Knee flexion on a splint (as recommended by a doctor).
• Breathing exercises.
• Tension and relaxation of the gluteal muscle.

It is necessary to perform such exercises until the patient is in a cast, does not rise from the bed. They are safe and simple, but still, before carrying out any rehabilitation measures, you need to consult with your doctor, who, in accordance with the stage and severity of the injury, will give useful recommendations.

Gymnastics in the post-immobilization period

After removing the plaster cast, motor activity can be expanded. The patient has access to exercise therapy not only in the supine position, but also in a sitting or standing position.

It is important at this stage to increase the load gradually, and if discomfort or pain in the knee area appears, stop the exercises.

The post-immobilization period can last up to several weeks, during which not only the work of the damaged joint, but also the periarticular tissues is restored. The patient can perform exercises without assistance.

• It is recommended to raise and lower the affected leg in different positions.
• They bend and unbend the toes, trying to grab the fabric of the bed linen or any objects with them.
• Rolling from toe to heel.
• In the supine position, raise the sore leg so that the heel comes off the bed.
• Sitting on the bed, both legs should be placed evenly, while the sore leg should be pulled towards you holding on to the thigh, without tearing off the foot.
• Lying on the stomach in the knee bend the healthy leg, and then slowly and the diseased joint.
• Sitting on the bed, both legs are hung down, alternately bent at the knee.
• Tension and relaxation of the patella will bring benefits.

In addition to these exercises, at this stage of rehabilitation, it is recommended to use special simulators for CRM therapy. They will help to perform passive movements, develop the knee joint even with a severe fracture in people of mature age. Such simulators are considered a good alternative to rehabilitation centers, but the main thing is to correctly calculate the loads so as not to harm the joint.

Any rehabilitation program after a knee fracture should begin with minimal loads and the number of repetitions. As the injury heals, the intensity of the exercises is increased, and standing exercises are added.

At this stage of recovery, the patient is allowed to get out of bed, use the support for slow movement. An alternative to crutches can be walkers, which give confidence and stability, relieve the patient of fear at the first steps.

Late rehabilitation period

The knee joint in the late rehabilitation period is partially developed, so at this stage, you can increase the load. It is recommended to carry out any exercises in a knee brace or special orthoses.

In addition to passive movements, complex gymnastics includes dynamic and static loads. The main purpose of the exercises is to strengthen the ligamentous apparatus, the muscle tissues that support the joint.

The set of exercises is designed for people who, after a knee fracture, are able to get out of bed, walk slowly or stand on crutches.

• Standing on the floor, put your feet shoulder-width apart and alternately bend and unbend the knee joint.
• The patient stands near the wall, holds on to the back of the chair, performs squats and half-squats. As you recover, you can do without support.
• Sitting on the bed, a person wraps his arms around his leg at the lower leg, pulls it up to the buttocks, but without lifting his heel from the bed.
• Walking up the stairs with an added step, while the sore leg should always go in front, and the healthy one is below. In the initial stages, it is recommended to rely on the railing.
• It is useful to climb the gymnastic wall.

In addition to the permitted exercises during the recovery phase, it is recommended to perform a simple rotation of the toes and feet, strain and relax the kneecap.

To speed up the effectiveness of the late rehabilitation period will help exercise bikes, simulators simulating walking. You can supplement your workouts with exercises with a ball, going to the pool.

When performing any exercise, a person should not feel pain, and if it appears, the complex should be stopped, inform the attending physician about it.

Effective methods of rehabilitation

In addition to therapeutic exercises to speed up the recovery period and restore full functionality to the knee joint, doctors also prescribe other rehabilitation methods:

• Physiotherapy.
• Massage.
• Aqua aerobics.
• Acupuncture;
• Manual therapy;
• Medical treatment;
• Diet therapy.

Some of the procedures are considered mandatory, and some are auxiliary. In the process of their implementation, the main thing is not to overdo it. Exercises in the pool will help to speed up recovery, but they need to be performed after the plaster has been removed. The diet for fractures should include the use of foods with a high content of calcium, fluorine and phosphorus. All foods should be rich in vitamins and minerals.

Exercises

The exercise therapy complex at the recovery stage should begin from a few minutes, while as you recover and feel better, the time should increase to 1 hour.

The intensity of physical activity in a fracture of the knee joint should be developed by the doctor individually for each patient. Most of these injuries are accompanied not only by damage to the integrity of the joint, but also by rupture or sprain of the ligaments, so the exercises should be complex, develop the joint and strengthen the periarticular tissues.

After any exercise that needs to be performed at least 3 times a day for 10 minutes, breathing exercises are recommended, as well as proper rest and sleep. When the fixator is removed from the diseased knee, you can perform the “bike” exercise or exercise on exercise bikes, but not earlier than 3 months after the injury.

Water aerobics will help develop the knee joint, therefore, starting from the 4th month of rehabilitation, it is recommended to sign up for a pool. At first, any exercises in the water must be performed with an instructor.

Massage

In addition to exercise therapy, massage will help speed up the recovery of a diseased joint. It will help improve blood flow, strengthen periarticular tissues, and eliminate stagnant processes. A specialist should perform massage in the early stages of rehabilitation, and it is prescribed even during immobilization. After a while, the patient can independently massage the leg.

After removing the cast, massage procedures will help eliminate pain, swelling, and prepare the joint for exercise. In case of a knee fracture, a regular or lymphatic drainage massage is most often prescribed. It is recommended to carry out such a procedure for 3 months, 10-15 minutes once a day.

Physiotherapy

An auxiliary method for the rehabilitation period is considered to be a physiotherapeutic effect. Treatments are given at an early stage. They will help prepare the diseased joint for physical exertion, reduce pain, relieve spasm and speed up recovery. In practice, more often used:

• Electrophoresis.
• Magnetotherapy.
• UHF therapy.
• laser treatment.

Any physiotherapy treatment consists of several procedures that are prescribed by the doctor individually for each patient.

Taking pharmaceutical drugs

Before developing a knee after a fracture, the patient is prescribed a number of medications that will help reduce pain, relieve tissue swelling, eliminate muscle spasm, and accelerate the restoration of damaged cartilage tissue.

Basically, drug therapy consists of taking the following groups of drugs:

• Painkillers and anti-inflammatory - Diclofenac, Movalis, Ortofen, Nimesil.
• Decongestants - L-lysine aescinate.
• Muscle relaxants - Sirdalud, Mydocalm.
• Improving blood circulation - Trental, Pentoxifylline.
• Calcium and vitamin D preparations.
• Chondroprotectors - Artra, Teraflex, Artron, Structum, Don.

Medicines are produced in different forms - tablets, injections, ointments. The duration of taking pharmaceutical preparations depends on the general condition of the patient. On average, treatment lasts up to 1 month, and only drugs from the chondroprotector group are recommended to be taken for several months. Their use restores damaged tissue, protects against destruction and possible consequences of injury.

Recovery time after a knee fracture

The rehabilitation period after a knee fracture can take up to 6 months, but this is with systematic exercises and the fulfillment of all doctor's prescriptions. If you ignore recovery measures , the consequences of a fracture of the patella or other part of the knee can be very deplorable. The risk of developing chronic pain increases, muscles can atrophy, there is a risk of developing arthrosis and other joint diseases.

How long it will take to return the knee to its previous mobility depends on the patient, his age, concomitant diseases. So in children and adolescents, bones grow together much faster than in older people. Slows down the effect of rehabilitation and the presence in the anamnesis of a patient with diabetes mellitus, iron deficiency anemia and other chronic diseases.

The knee joint has a complex structure, therefore, in case of a fracture, the rehabilitation period should be carried out comprehensively, be regular and correct. Only then can a successful recovery be achieved.