How to exercise with a patellar fracture?

Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
Updated on September 13, 2024
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After a patella fracture, it is necessary to fix and immobilize the patella for some time. During the immobilization, knee joint stiffness may occur, affecting the flexion and extension movements of the knee. Therefore, while treating a patella fracture, it is also important to guide the patient in functional exercises. For example, during the early stages of immobilization, the patient can actively contract the quadriceps femoris and the triceps surae to prevent thrombosis. This muscle exercise can also help avoid muscle atrophy. Additionally, patients can be instructed to dorsally extend the ankle joint to strengthen the ankle pump training and avoid ankle stiffness. Once the fracture is stabilized, the patient can sit beside the bed and let the knee bend naturally. When close to the bed, the knee can bend up to ninety degrees. If natural bending is difficult, the healthy limb can be used to push the injured limb closer to the bed, allowing the knee to bend to ninety degrees. After reaching ninety degrees, it might be appropriate to use crutches for walking activities. If bending beyond ninety degrees is necessary, the patient should lie flat on the bed, hug the thigh of the injured limb with both hands, flex the hip joint, and then allow the knee joint to bend through gravity beyond ninety degrees, approaching the normal range.

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Written by Li Xin
Pediatric Orthopedics
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What does a fracture feel like?

The feeling of a fracture, first and foremost, the most important clinical manifestation is pain. Of course, the intensity of the pain is related to the type of fracture. Generally, incomplete fractures or greenstick fractures are not as painful, but if the fracture is displaced, comminuted, or other types, the pain is more pronounced. The second manifestation is swelling; the area of the fracture will show obvious swelling and become quite enlarged. The third is tenderness, which means that touching or pressing on the area will result in noticeable pain. Fourth, there is a significant restriction of movement in the joints adjacent to the fracture site.

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Written by Zhang Ying Peng
Orthopedics
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How to exercise for fracture recovery

After the fracture heals, rehabilitation exercises can reduce pain and shorten the healing time of the fracture. The main rehabilitation training methods include physiotherapy such as hot compresses, massage of the fracture site, acupuncture, electrotherapy, and exercises like muscle training of the fracture site, isometric contraction, isotonic contraction, etc. Once the fracture reaches relative stability, further activities like getting out of bed and non-weight bearing exercises at the fracture site can also help accelerate the healing time.

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Written by Li Jie
Orthopedics
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What to eat with a rib fracture

The diet for patients with rib fractures is not much different from that for general fracture patients. It is advisable to eat more high-nutrition, high-protein, low-fat, and easily digestible foods, which can facilitate the healing of fractures. Additionally, consumption of calcium-rich foods, such as eggs, milk, fish, or shrimp shells, can be beneficial. At the same time, taking calcium tablets and vitamin D can also promote the healing of fractures. Furthermore, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, there is a belief in "like cures like," so for rib fractures, consuming ribs, such as pork ribs, could theoretically help in the healing process according to this theory.

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Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
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How is a fracture treated?

For the treatment of fractures, we first need to determine the type of fracture. First, whether the alignment of the fracture is appropriate, and whether there is any obvious displacement; second, whether it is a comminuted fracture; third, whether the fracture ends have affected the joint surface. If the alignment of the fracture is very good, doesn’t involve the joint surface, and is not comminuted, then conservative treatment, such as plastering or splinting, can lead to a full recovery. If the fracture is comminuted, comes with obvious misalignment, and also involves the joint surface, then surgical treatment should be considered. Conservative treatment under these circumstances might result in certain disabilities, thus surgery is recommended.

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Written by Luo Peng
Thoracic Surgery
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How painful is a rib fracture?

How painful is a rib fracture? Personally, I have never experienced a fracture, but I have treated many patients with rib fractures. I can say that most rib fractures are very painful, especially those where the fracture site stimulates the nerve, causing severe pain, even unbearable enough to make one cry out. Generally speaking, with rib fractures, most people are in so much pain that they dare not cough or even take deep breaths. Some patients can barely get up once lying down, as any movement during the process can cause intense pain. There are also cases where patients have difficulty lying back down after getting up, experiencing significant pain in the process. Essentially, any activity that involves moving the fractured area is avoided due to the pain, which highlights how painful rib fractures can be.