How to develop a knee after a cast at home

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According to statistics, 54% of fractures and fracture-dislocations of the ankle joint occur at a young age, when it is important for a person to maintain working capacity. These injuries are classified as severe injuries to the musculoskeletal system. Even with high-quality treatment, they lead to disability in 3-12% of cases. Therefore, restoring the functions of the ankle joint requires a careful approach, individual for each patient.

The situation is similar with injuries to the ligamentous apparatus. The ankle is often injured in athletes and young, active people. In 30-50% of them, late diagnosis or poor-quality treatment leads to chronic instability of the ankle joint. It interferes with leading an active lifestyle, and over time even leads to disability.

Early diagnosis and quality treatment help reduce the risk of disability. Moreover, ligament injuries, sprains and fractures are much easier to treat initially, immediately after the injury. At the same time, the chances of restoring ankle function are much higher. And the treatment and rehabilitation itself is less invasive and takes less time.

Treatment methods

In acute conditions, first aid must be provided correctly. If the leg does not bend after an injury, the injured limb must be provided with complete rest until the ambulance arrives. It is strictly forbidden to try to straighten the joint using physical force. It is also necessary to take the patient to the hospital in case of limited physical activity in combination with elevated body temperature. Main treatment methods:

• drug therapy (pain-relieving injections, ointments and compresses, hormonal drugs, injections for inflammation of the knee joint);
• physiotherapeutic procedures (acupuncture, electrophoresis and galvanization, magnetic therapy, laser therapy, ozokerite applications, UVT therapy);
• therapeutic exercises and massage (improves blood circulation, helps restore mobility);
• swimming;
• surgical intervention.

Gymnastics can be active or passive (exercises are performed with the help of an external force without the patient’s muscular participation). The second type is more often used when the leg does not bend as a result of injury. During the first period of treatment, bed rest is required. Then the joint must be developed using prescribed physical activity. The course of recovery and rehabilitation is carried out under the supervision of a doctor.

Orthopedic surgeon Andrey Yurievich Sidenkov comments:

In the absence of results from conservative treatment or in advanced pathology, surgical treatment is performed. The choice of the nature of the intervention is made by the doctor based on examinations. Prolonged immobilization of the knee may be necessary, especially if the knee does not bend completely immediately after surgery. In case of serious pathology, an operation such as prosthetics is prescribed - a complete replacement of the joint with an artificial one.

Sometimes the knee does not bend due to overwork or chronic fatigue. As a rule, establishing a sleep and rest routine helps normalize the situation with the knee joint.

Restoring the knee after surgery or injury

Knee surgery, joint injury or bruise

always cause bone displacement, tissue fusion and a decrease in range of motion. To reduce the negative consequences, the patient needs a course of rehabilitation to restore his usual state.

Rehabilitation after injury or surgery

In case of injuries or operations, the main thing is a correctly selected motor mode. Movement of the affected joint

, flexion and extension of the knee must be done regularly, otherwise the muscles and ligaments will remember a long stay in a resting position, soft tissue adhesions may form, and disabling contracture may appear. Subsequent rehabilitation procedures may not give a positive result, and the amplitude of knee flexion will be much less than in the post-traumatic period.

To strengthen muscles, ligaments and joints, doctors prescribe medications. In case of injuries and operations, in order to reduce pain and swelling, anti-inflammatory and analgesic ointments, creams, and gels are prescribed. To relieve pain, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and medications that normalize blood flow are necessary.

You can develop the joint using massage. The procedures must be performed by an experienced specialist. If the knee is in a cast, then massage should begin after it is removed. If you are wearing an orthosis, then it is removed during the massage. Massage reduces pain, swelling, and muscle spasms. Not only the knee itself is massaged, but also the areas next to it. After just a few procedures, the patient will see how the range of motion of the knee has increased. Massage techniques used in the recovery process: lymphatic drainage and manual procedures.

Methods of recovery after injuries and operations of the knee joint

The following methods are used for recovery:

• drug treatment;
• physiotherapy;
• kinesitherapy;
• pressotherapy;
• manual therapy;
• imperative-corrective gymnastics;
• kinesio taping.

Physiotherapy speeds up the process of the effects of drugs. Procedures such as electrophoresis, paraffin therapy, phonophoresis, magnetic therapy, UHF therapy will help quickly relieve swelling, pain, and muscle spasms. By developing joints with the help of physiotherapy, the joint will quickly return to normal and be ready for stress and physical activity.

Exercises after surgery or injury

Recovery after surgery or injury to the knee joint should be under the supervision of a physician. By following the recommendations, you can quickly return the functionality of your knee to normal. High-quality and regular exercise contributes to this, and here are some of them:

1. Sitting on the floor with your legs extended, you should tense and relax your knee without moving your legs. Keep it tense for 2 seconds. The exercise should be repeated at least 20 times every 60 minutes.
2. Lie on your back with your legs extended, knees straight, lying on a hard surface. Slowly raise your extended leg and also slowly lower it. Repeat 10-15 times, three times a day.
3. Lying on your back with your legs extended, lift your leg up. Grasp your leg by the thigh with both hands and relax the muscles; the weight of your leg will cause your knee to bend. Return your leg to the starting position. Repeat 10-15 times three times a day.
4. While sitting on a chair or bed, place a soft cushion under your knee so that your leg hangs off the bed. Straighten the injured leg, and then bend the knee under the force of the foot of the healthy leg. If severe pain occurs when bending, you can help with your healthy leg by holding it by the ankle with your foot.
5. Lying on your stomach, bend your knee, helping it with an elastic band or bandage. You need to tighten until you feel pressure in the knee joint. Hold in this position for 3-4 seconds. Repeat the exercise several times during the day.
6. Lying on your back, perform the bicycle exercise with the maximum possible degree of straightening of the injured knee.

By increasing the frequency of exercise, muscles and joints become stronger faster.

If after surgery or injury the knee can bend more than 100 degrees, you can exercise on a bicycle trainer. The saddle should be set to the highest possible position. When a person can perform the exercise for 10-15 minutes, the time and level of the saddle can be increased. Exercises in the pool are effective when possible: after removal of stitches after surgery or a cast for injury.

All exercises should be performed after consultation with your doctor to avoid negative consequences. During the initial restoration of the knee, it is better to use therapy using the Artromot, Kinetek, Oxycycle devices.

Recovery at home

At home after surgery or injury, you should also follow the recommendations of the orthopedist, in this case the recovery will be much faster and more efficient. Gradually you need to increase your walking, first around the apartment, then gradually go outside. Moderate walking on stairs, constant standing and sitting on a chair. Continue to do regular exercises for a few minutes a day to develop movement and strengthen the knee joint. Following a diet is also important. The diet should include foods containing iron, this will help quickly restore muscles and speed up tissue healing.

Modern methods of rehabilitation after surgery or knee injury help to quickly recover and return to a full life: restore the previous function of the joint, improve muscle tone, and prevent further injuries or pain.
Author: K.M.N., Academician of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences M.A. Bobyr

Prevention

To prevent pathological conditions, you should lead an active lifestyle, get rid of excess weight and bad habits, undergo timely examinations and consult a specialist at the slightest ailment. Complaints “I can’t bend my knee” and “the knee doesn’t bend and is swollen” are a reason for an emergency examination and the appointment of treatment procedures. Since discomfort is caused by completely different diseases, treatment can vary greatly. Therefore, self-prescription of medications, compresses, and injections is unacceptable.

Prolonged neglect of contracture causes persistent stiffness and the development of serious complications. The most serious consequence is disability and complete immobilization of the knee.

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How to restore ankle function after injury

How doctors will treat depends on the severity of the injury and the nature of the damage to the joint. After all, ligament tears are much easier to treat than, for example, displaced fractures or fracture-dislocations. Specialists decide on treatment tactics only after examining the patient, having a complete understanding of his condition and the severity of the injury.

Several methods are used to restore the functions of the ankle joint:

• Conservative treatment. Effective for minor injuries that are not accompanied by fractures, dislocations and complete rupture of ligaments. The functions of the ankle are restored with the help of rest, fixation with an elastic bandage, painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, physiotherapy and exercise therapy.
• Plaster immobilization. Used in the treatment of fractures in which there is no displacement of the bone fragment and instability of the ankle. Plaster is also applied for fresh ruptures and tears of the ligaments (no later than two to three months after the injury). Plaster immobilization is also used after osteosynthesis and skeletal traction as a final treatment method.
• Closed reduction with further plaster immobilization. Used for closed displaced fractures. It is not recommended for use in cases of concomitant ankle subluxations due to the high risk of unsatisfactory treatment outcome.
• Open reduction with fixation with immersion structures. All open and some closed fractures are treated in this way. In some cases, after surgery, the joint is additionally fixed with plaster.
• Skeletal traction and transosseous compression osteosynthesis. Used to treat complex and chronic fractures in the ankle joint. It is carried out using special external fixation devices.
• Surgery. It is performed for chronic ligament injuries, post-traumatic osteoporosis, severe fractures and fracture-dislocations. Allows you to restore ankle function even when it is impossible to do this in other ways.

How does the development of the knee joint proceed after the plaster is removed?

Knee development can take place using various methods. All of them are aimed at improving blood circulation, relieving swelling, strengthening the thigh muscles and, importantly, restoring the elasticity of the ligaments. Rehabilitation usually includes the following activities:

• Massage;
• Drug therapy;
• Physiotherapy;
• Physical therapy exercises;
• SRM therapy, etc.

In what sequence these methods will be used, as well as how long they will last, is decided by the rehabilitator for each individual case.

Most often, massage and exercise therapy are introduced first, then hydrotherapy and warming. At home, the patient is recommended to apply compresses and rub the legs.

After removing the plaster

Now that the patient can already get out of bed and move around, albeit with the help of crutches, more complex exercise therapy exercises can be performed.

First of all, you should make sure that bone fusion has occurred. The main load will be on the healthy leg, but you can sometimes lean lightly on the sore leg. If you feel pain in the knee joint while moving or doing exercises, this means that the site of injury has not completely healed, or inflammatory processes have intensified there.

Exercises to develop the knee joint after removing the cast should be aimed at maintaining balance. Also involved is stepping over various barriers and simulating walking on stairs.

Separately, you need to devote time to stretching exercises, since during the rehabilitation period it is very important to restore the elasticity of tendons and ligaments.