How Well Do Knee Tendon Repairs Heal

By: Andrew Godek, Physical Therapist/Certified Able-bodied Traine r

To learn more than about knee joint tendon injuries, please read this commodity: www.joionline.net/library/show/tendons-in-the-knee/

Patellar Tendon Rupture Recovery

Yous are sitting in your doctor's office after pain your knee while playing basketball, and they tell y'all that you have torn your patellar tendon.. now what? What is the patellar tendon rupture recovery like? To learn more than well-nigh the anatomy of the knee, go to this video.

Anatomical image of knee and patella tendons Anatomy and musculature of the leg.

The patellar tendon is a strong tendon that extends down from the thigh muscle (quadriceps) and attaches the knee cap (patella) to the shin bone (tibia). Its main function is to assistance straighten the human knee. This tendon can exist torn by a forceful contraction of the quadriceps while performing running or jumping activities. Information technology likewise tin be torn by falling directly on the knee joint. In both cases, the patellar tendon can be partially torn or completely ruptured (torn fully). Read this article about tendonitis of the knee

As with whatever injury, the severity greatly impacts the timetable for recovery. A partial tear can exist treated with immobilization and concrete therapy. In more severe cases with a ruptured tendon, the best intervention form is a surgical repair performed by an orthopedic surgeon. Recovery time will besides vary based on the private surgeon's rehabilitation protocol.

Surgery for a Patellar Tendon Rupture

Anatomical Image of a patellar tendon rupture Patellar Tendon Rupture Recovery

Surgery to repair the patellar tendon involves re-attaching the tendon that was torn by either suturing the ii torn ends together or using a different structure to bridge the gap. Post-obit surgery, it is essential to limit how far the knee is bent to heal. Gradually this will exist increased to allow the new surgically repaired tendon to lengthen safely. Here are a few things to keep in heed with patellar tendon rupture recovery:

No weight-begetting or limited weight-bearing on your injured leg for upwards to 4-6 weeks.
Wearing a long caryatid or genu immobilizer that keeps your leg straight for half dozen weeks.
Limited power to bend your knee for up to 12 weeks.
No running for 12-fourteen weeks, depending on leg strength.
Render to sports at virtually 6 months, depending on leg strength.

Not everyone that has this injury is an athlete and may not exist looking to get back to sports activities. For those people not returning to sports activities, hither are some functional things to think nearly.

If you lot injure your right leg, you will not be able to bulldoze for up to 6 weeks and perchance longer.
For those with more physically demanding jobs, you may exist express to returning to normal work tasks for 3-half dozen months.
Yous may have residual stiffness and weakness in the injured leg compared to the uninjured side.

What is Patellar Tendon Tear Recovery Like?

Quick answer, recovery from a patellar tendon rupture is a lengthy process following this surgery considering of the tendon's time to heal. Patience and hard work will pay off during your road to recovery. Your rehab team from JOI will be with you each stride of the fashion to ensure you properly recover and regain your forcefulness and mobility.

Physical Therapy for the Patellar Tendon

Physical therapist working on a knee of a man lying on a table. JOI Physical Therapists piece of work help Patellar Tendon Recovery

Physical therapy is vital for patellar tendon rupture recovery. It is imperative to regain the knee'south normal range of motility and decrease the pain and swelling. The swelling volition cause the quad muscle to close down and cloudburst. The vastus medialis muscle will need special strengthening exercises to ensure that he can stabilize the patella in the center of the knee. Often, the vastus lateralis is likewise strong and well as the knee'southward lateral structures, which may actually cause subluxation or dislocation. Read this article about patella dislocation. JOI Rehab has specialty-trained clinicians to provide physical therapy for your human knee.

To schedule an date for physical therapy at 1 of the 12 JOI Rehab Centers delight telephone call 904-858-7045.

If you need to run across an Orthopaedic Knee Specialist, please call 904-JOI-2000, schedule online, or follow the link below.