384 chapter 42
STRETCHING EXERCISE—TO STRAIGHTEN A STIFF KNEE
(KNEE CONTRACTURE)
EXERCISE
SHEET
2
tight cord
short muscle
PROBLEM
The muscle and cord here are too
short and tight. For this reason
the knee will not straighten.
Ask the child to straighten his knee as much as he can by himself (if he can do it
at all). Then help him slowly straighten it as far as it will go.
Both of you keep working to hold the knee as straight as possible while you count
slowly to 25. Repeat several times. Do this exercise 3 times a day.
If the foot also has a contracture, try to hold or bend it up while you stretch the
cord behind the knee.
Push down the
thigh with
one hand here.
With your arm,
support the leg
and bend the
foot forward.
Use pressure here just below
the knee to raise the leg.
LIKE THIS
NOT LIKE THIS
dislocation
When you get the knee as straight as you can with the
hip extended, gradually lift the leg higher, keeping the
knee straight.
BE CAREFUL. Never try to straighten
the leg by pulling the foot. Instead of
stretching the cord, this could dislocate
the knee or break the leg. The danger is
especially great when the leg is very weak
or when the child cannot walk.
Disabled village Children