Ace Physiotherapy and Sports in Singapore
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ACE PHYSIO SPORTS
East gate Building, 46 East Coast Road
#08-03 Singapore 428766 -
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Sat: 08:00am - 4:00pm
Sunday (By prior appointment)
ORIF Patella
Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF) of the patella is a surgical procedure used to treat a fractured patella (kneecap). Open reduction involves surgically exposing and realigning the fractured bone fragments, which is necessary for certain types of fractures. Internal fixation refers to the use of screws, wires, or plates to stabilise the patella, enabling proper healing and restoring the function of the knee.
The patella (kneecap) is a sesamoid bone embedded within the quadriceps tendon at the front of the knee. Fractures of the patella can occur when the force applied exceeds the strength of the bone, either from a direct blow to the knee or indirectly due to a powerful contraction of the quadriceps muscle.
A patella fracture can be either displaced, where the bone fragments are out of position, or undisplaced, where the fragments remain in their proper alignment. If the fracture is undisplaced or minimally displaced, surgery may not be required. However, if the fracture is significantly displaced, ORIF surgery will be necessary to realign and stabilise the bone for proper healing.
During ORIF surgery, an incision is made over the front of the knee to access the fractured patella. The fractured bone ends are realigned through open reduction and then stabilised using a combination of pins, screws, and wires as part of the internal fixation to ensure proper healing.
It is important to undergo ORIF surgery promptly after a displaced patella fracture, as this helps to reduce pain, support proper healing, and prevent further complications or injuries in the future.
Symptoms after ORIF of the patella
After ORIF surgery of the patella, you can expect to experience pain, swelling, stiffness, and reduced range of movement in your knee. Depending on the stability of your knee, a brace may be required for the first few days following surgery. Passive range of movement exercises are encouraged as soon as possible, and you may be placed on a continuous passive motion (CPM) machine to help maintain mobility and support healing. During your hospital stay, a physiotherapist will see you immediately after surgery to guide you through bed exercises. Once able, you will be provided with elbow crutches and encouraged to partially weight bear during the initial stages of recovery. Driving will not be permitted for up to 6 weeks following your surgery.
Physiotherapy after ORIF of the patella
Immediate physiotherapy is essential following ORIF surgery of the patella to reduce pain, swelling, and stiffness and to restore range of movement in your knee. Once you have been discharged from hospital, your physiotherapy should continue with Ace Physio Sports to ensure the return of full function, promote optimal healing, and minimise the risk of future problems or complications.
1-4 weeks
During the first month of your physiotherapy programme with Ace Physio Sports, the main goals are to control pain and swelling, passively improve range of motion, and strengthen the muscles around your knee. It is also important to protect your knee from excessive movements to prevent further injury.
- Controlling pain and swelling in the knee
- Passively improving range of motion
- Strengthening the muscles around the knee
- Protecting the knee from excessive movements to prevent further damage
5-8 weeks
During the second month after your ORIF surgery, your physiotherapy programme with Ace Physio Sports will focus on managing pain, re-educating your gait, improving proprioception (balance), strengthening the muscles around your knee, and increasing your range of movement. Physiotherapy activities will include:
- Pain management and swelling control
- Gait re-education to improve walking pattern
- Proprioception (balance) training
- Strengthening the muscles around the knee
- Increasing the range of movement in the knee
8-12 weeks
Following successful rehabilitation over the previous weeks, after two months you should have minimal or no pain and swelling, be fully weight bearing, and notice a marked improvement in knee function. The main goals of your physiotherapy programme with Ace Physio Sports at this stage will focus on continuing previous exercises, maintaining correct gait patterns, self-managing symptoms, ensuring good stability and patella tracking, achieving full range of movement, and increasing walking distance. Physiotherapy interventions will include:
- Continuation of previous strengthening and range of motion exercises
- Maintenance of correct gait patterns
- Self-management strategies for symptoms
- Exercises to improve stability and patella tracking
- Increasing ambulation (walking) distance
After approximately 3 months of successful physiotherapy with Ace Physio Sports, you should be regaining full function in your knee. At this stage, the focus will shift towards activity- and sport-specific exercises, allowing you to begin jogging and participate in more physically demanding activities. The overall recovery time after ORIF surgery of the patella will depend on your commitment to your physiotherapy programme and the severity of your initial injury.
Summary
Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF) of the patella is a surgical procedure used to treat a fractured patella. The procedure involves realigning the fractured segments and stabilising them using screws or pins. ORIF is necessary for a displaced fracture to restore stability and correct the injury. If the fracture is undisplaced and the patella remains in position, a conservative (non-surgical) physiotherapy approach is usually recommended. ORIF surgery is essential as it helps reduce pain and swelling, and minimise the risk of long-term damage or loss of knee function. Physiotherapy is critical immediately after your surgery to ensure its success, reduce stiffness, aid fracture healing, and restore range of movement. A personalised physiotherapy programme with Ace Physio Sports will help you regain full knee function and get you back to your job, hobby, or sport as quickly and safely as possible. Call Ace Physio Sports now on +65 81535374 for more information or to book an appointment!
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