A patellar tendon rupture is a disabling injury that prevents the patient from achieving full knee extension. This rare injury, occurring in less than 0.5% of the population annually,

Following simultaneous anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and repair or removal of a locked bucket-handle meniscus tear, patients were having difficulty regaining full range of motion (ROM).

One of the most common problems that we have been seeing in our clinic are patients that have developed a stiff, arthritic knee; many seeing us for a second opinion. Often times, patients have seen another physician; either primary care, orthopedist, or orthopedic physician assistants and the patient may have been given a diagnosis of arthritis but did not fully understand the diagnosis.

A clear understanding of the anatomy and mechanics of the patellofemoral joint is critical when treating a patient that presents with a possible patellar dislocation. The alignment of the patellae should be evaluated to understand where the patellae sit in relation to the trochlea medially and laterally, as well as looking at the height of the patellae, proximal to distal. Physical exam should include assessing for a “J” sign, the patella height and patella tilt and comparing to the opposite knee.

The use of a continuous passive motion (CPM) machine was initiated around 1982 after total knee replacements (TKA) to promote healing to the tissues, but other benefits found from CPM included increased ROM, decrease pain and the need for analgesics, and decreased rate of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). [6, 12, 21, 22] Ritter et al [20] however, found that the use of the CPM lead to a weaker leg, flexion tightness and extension lag along with increased cost with its use.

Our office meets twice a month for research meetings to discuss various topics that relate to treatment of the knee joint, or other topics that may affect our orthopedic practice of treating knee problems/injuries. Last month we discussed chapter 30 out of the book: BareBones by A. Sarmiento.

Patellofemoral dislocation accounts for fewer than 3% of knee injuries seen by most orthopedic surgeons. Evaluating patellofemoral dislocation and determining whether surgical or non-surgical management is the best treatment for a particular patient is difficult due to anatomical complexity and challenges in determining the cause of the instability.

Delayed ambulation after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) decreases pain and swelling and facilitates recovery without increasing complications, according to a Shelbourne Knee Center study.¹