The term "dislocated knee" generally refers to a dislocated kneecap, or patella. According to the New England Musculoskeletal Institute, an athlete can dislocate his patella when the foot is planted and a rapid change of direction or twisting occurs. The patient will suffer from significant and immediate pain and will often be unable to straighten his leg. This injury may or may not require surgery to repair the surrounding tissues, but exercises can help rehabilitate the knee.
Straight Leg Raises
Straight leg raises can be initiated by the patient immediately after injury or surgery and will help to maintain leg strength during the healing phase. The patient lies on her back with the uninvolved leg bent comfortably at the knee and the involved leg extended straight. The lift is initiated by first squeezing the thigh muscles and flexing the foot back toward the knee. The patient slowly lifts and lowers the straight leg 10 to 25 times. This exercise can be repeated lying on each side and on the stomach, always lifting the straight leg toward the ceiling. To make the straight leg raise more difficult, the patient can add light ankle weights.
Stationary Bike
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons reports that cycling is often recommended as part of the physical therapy. The patient can use a stationary bike to increase knee range-of-motion by gently rocking the pedals back and forth, as far in each direction as he can tolerate. Once a full revolution of the pedals is achieved, the patient can begin riding for extended periods of time to recondition the leg muscles, generally 15 to 30 minutes per day.
Ball Squeeze
The patient places a rubber ball, about the size of a volleyball, between the back of her knee and the wall, leaving a small bend in the knee to start. By tightening the thigh muscles, the patient pushes the back of the knee into the ball and straightens the knee. This straight knee position is held for 5 seconds, and the exercise is repeated 10 to 25 times.
Mini Squats
The patient stands with his feet hip-width apart and his weight even placed to both sides. As if lowering himself to sit in a chair, the patient squats about 30 degrees, or 6 inches, and returns to standing. This thigh-strengthening exercise will increase the stability of the kneecap and decrease the likelihood of a repeat injury.
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