Physiotherapists are mobilizing the patella in our daily practice. These techniques can be utilized in different knee problems. The main reason of patellar mobilization is to increase the mobility of joint.
Superior-Inferior & Inferior-Superior Mobility
Lie down the patient on the supine position with knees straight. Place the web space of the left hand over the base of patella and the web space of right hand over the apex. Now hold the patella between the both hands and shift your body weight from right to left leg. The both hand are moving the left side, the right hand taking patella superiorly and the left hand also moving upward without applying any force. After that, the left hand is applying the force and moving the patella inferiorly.
The key is to use the body weight to improve the mobility of the joint instead of the hand movement. The hand movement remains fixed in one position and guide with shifting the body weight to one leg to another leg. For this technique you can improve the superior-inferior and inferior-superior mobility of the patella.
If there is severe limitation and pain then start with gentle slow motion. You can gradually increase the range of motion within the patient’s tolerance limit.
Oblique mobility
Lie down the patient on the supine position with knees straight. Place the web space of the left hand on the supero-medial border of patella and the web space of right hand on the infero-lateral border of patella. Now hold the patella between the both hands. Then glide the patella from the superior medial to inferior lateral direction and inferior lateral to superior medial direction. Similarly, change the direction of your hand from other side and perform the same procedure.
Medial-Lateral & Lateral-Medial Mobility
Lie down the patient on the supine position with knees straight. Place the pulp of both the thumb over the lateral border of the patella and the fingers are placed over the medial side. Now, apply the force over the patella with your both thumbs from the lateral to medial direction. The patella is glided within the tolerance limit of the patient. Now, stand on the contra-lateral side. Then, placed the both thumbs over the medial border of the patella and the fingers are placed over the lateral side. Apply the force over the patella with your both thumbs from the medial to lateral direction. The lateral mobilization is going to be given to the particular femoral joint.
Why we need Patellar Mobilization?
Patellar Mobilization are given in those patients who have limitation in the knee joint flexion and extension. Normally we see in clinical practice in the post fracture stiffness cases. Patellar mobilization are very helpful in the patellar glides inferiorly during the knee joint flexion and superiorly during the knee joint extension ranges. It is also very beneficial in various muscular imbalances or patellar shifting and tilting mal positioning. So, physiotherapist is the best person to perform the patellar mobilization because he had depth knowledge in all joint, muscles and ligaments. Patellar mobilization helps patients to increasing the range of motion and also helps you in pain relief.
