Displaced patella, surgery or physiotherapy?

Question:

My son did the above, it is supported and he is waiting for surgery. 13 years old and plays rugby. Conflicting advice sugest either.

Answers:
I guess it depends on a lot of details that I dont know-- was something torn that needs to be repaired?
Physiotherapy will strengthen the surrounding structures (muscles) but if the patella was dislocated, the ligaments were surely stretched & possibly torn. ligaments dont return to the normal state like a muscle does. Muscles are like rubber bands, elastic. ligaments are like salt water taffy, stretch them & they stay all loose. It may be likely that w/o surgery that your son will ony be prone to further damage & dislocation of the knee.
I'm sure they will send him for therapy after the surgery to strengthen it.

It's really too hard to give you more of an answer over the net w/o any other details. but ask your sons orthopedist about the reasons why he needs surgery over PT & what exactly has happened inside of the knee that can't be fixed with therapy that surgery can fix.

Displaced patella, surgery or physiotherapy?

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