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bal·lot·able pa·tel·la(bă-lot'ă-bĕl pă-tel'ă)
Synonym(s): floating patella.
patella(pa-tel'a) (-tel'e, -tel'i?) plural.patellaeplural.patellas [L. patella, a small pan]
ballotable patellaFloating patella.
fracture of patella
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.
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 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.
Medial hypomobility often results from adhesions of the lateral patellar retinaculum or tightness of the iliotibial band. Lateral hypomobility can result from tightness of the medial patellar retinaculum or hypertrophy or spasm of the oblique fibers of the vastus medialis.
The patient will complain of pain and demonstrate decreased strength during weight-bearing activities. Improper tracking of the patella as the result of hypomobility can lead to chondromalacia patellae.
Physical agents such as moist heat and/or ultrasound and manual therapy techniques can be used to encourage the elasticity of the offending tissues. A surgical release of the patellar retinaculum may be required.