Physical rehabilitation after total patellectomy secondary to gunshot wound: a case report
Abstract
Introduction: Total patellectomy is a rarely indicated procedure, as it may lead to poor functional outcomes. The objective of this study is to describe the postoperative physical therapy rehabilitation process of a patient who underwent total patellectomy and his outpatient follow-up over 11 months at a public hospital in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires.
Case presentation: A 19-year-old male patient attended the physical theraypy department for rehabilitation following a right total patellectomy secondary to a gunshot wound. After the rehabilitation process, the patient achieved 110º of active knee flexion, quadriceps strength of 12 kgf (57 % compared with the contralateral limb), independent gait, and substantial improvement in the lower extremity function scale (LEFS; from 11 to 66 points) and in quality of life (SF-36, physical functioning subscale; from 0 % to 90 %).
Conclusion: The postoperative physical therapy approach in a patient who underwent total patellectomy is described. The patient showed a significant increase in joint range of motion, increased strength, and acquisition of independent gait without assistive devices.
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