The Novelty of Orthopedic Rehabilitation After Conservative Management for Patellar Dislocation With Partial Tear of Medial Meniscus and Early Osteoarthritis in a 31-Year-Old Female

Primary patellar dislocation or first-time patellar dislocation is the second most frequent cause of knee injuries which overall accounts for about 3% of other knee injuries. The patellofemoral joint is formed by the patella connecting to the femoral trochlea and creates both static and dynamic structures of the knee. There are basically three types of patellar dislocation: superior, lateral, and medial. The lateral dislocation is the most frequent one. Females are more vulnerable and are at higher risk than males. Muscular weakness or muscular imbalance leads to patellar instability, and ultimately to dislocation. The recurrence rate after primary patellar dislocation is 15-60%. This case report is of a 31-year-old female with patella dislocation with a medial meniscal tear and a case of early osteoarthritis for whom we planned goal-oriented physiotherapy rehabilitation week-wise and progressed every week. The assessment was taken before and after physiotherapy rehabilitation. The patient was managed conservatively with a long knee brace, and physiotherapy started after one month. Due to prolonged immobilization, the patient suffered from quadriceps muscle atrophy. The physiotherapist focused on biomechanism and got the expected results in pain reduction, regaining strength, and improving range of motion, and the patient was able to walk properly without taking any support after rehabilitation.