Exercises | Physiotherapy with an Unhappy Triad

Exercises

The following exercises are intended for the phase of full weight bearing. Prior to this, mobilization exercises and gait training can be performed, for example. 1 Lunge Starting position: Lunge on a surface, starting with the healthy leg in front.

Execution: The back knee lowers towards the floor, but does not touch it. The front knee is bent up to 90° (please do not push the front knee in front of the tip of the foot!) Hold the position for a few seconds, then stretch the legs again Approx.

15 repetitions on one side, then change sides Increases: For example place a soft mat/Airex- mat under the front foot, if necessary put a weight bar on the shoulders 2. Brindging Starting position: supine, feet are upright and knees bent about 90°, arms are next to the body Execution: buttocks are lifted so far that the body is level from head to knees Hold the position for a few seconds, about 15 repetitions in 3 sets Enhancement: for the abductors, wrap an elastic band around the thighs and press them outwards, for the adductors, clamp a ball between the knees and press it together 3. One-leg stand/stand scales Execution: One-leg stand with knee joint slightly bent in the standing leg First practice on a stable surface, then for example on a rubber mat/Airex mat:

  • Physiotherapy after cruciate ligament rupture

Surgery for an Unhappy Triad

Due to the instability of the joint caused by the injury, surgical treatment is often recommended in the case of an Unhappy Triad. In addition, this injury often occurs in athletes where the knee joint has to withstand greater demands in the future. The operation is minimally invasive (arthroscopic) using the “keyhole technique” under general anesthesia and involves an inpatient stay of about 2-3 days.

Classically, the tendon of one of the rear thigh muscles (M. semitendinosus) or the tendon of the kneecap (patellar tendon) is used to replace the anterior cruciate ligament. For the removal of the tendon, an incision of a few cm is necessary.The destroyed parts of the inner meniscus are removed, the inner ligament usually does not need to be replaced. After the operation, the patient is fitted with a special orthosis that allows flexion of the knee joint up to a maximum of 90° and is allowed to practice walking on crutches together with a therapist for 1-2 days after the operation. The destroyed parts of the inner meniscus are removed, the inner ligament does not usually need to be replaced. After the operation, the patient is fitted with a special orthosis that allows the knee joint to be bent up to a maximum of 90° and is allowed to practice walking on crutches with a therapist 1-2 days after the operation.