hypermobile patella


hy·per·mo·bile pa·tel·la

(hī'pĕr-mō'bil pă-tel'ă) A range of patellar movement equal to three or more quadrants of the patella.

hypermobile patella

Excessive medial and/or lateral motion of the patella. A medially hypermobile patella can be moved greater than 75% of its width medially. A laterally hypermobile patella can be moved greater than 75% of its width laterally. See: hypomobile patella; apprehension test

Etiology

Increased medial patellar hypermobility can result from laxity of the lateral patellar retinaculum. Lateral patellar hypermobility indicates laxity of the medial patellar retinaculum and/or weakness of the oblique fibers of the vastus medialis.

Symptoms

Increased motion of the patella within the femur's trochlea can lead to chondromalacia patellae, producing pain in weight-bearing activities, esp. squatting or climbing or descending stairs. Lateral patellar hypermobility is a predisposition to patellar dislocation or subluxation.

Treatment

Treatment and rehabilitation consists of strengthening the muscles on the side opposite the hypermobility. Neuromuscular reeducation may be needed to restore the normal recruitment sequence of the oblique fibers of the vastus medialis and the vastus lateralis.

See also: patella