Physiotherapy is an essential phase in the process of managing knee pathologies or of the ankle. However, in some cases, the patient may encounter a rehabilitation blockage, often caused by exacerbated central motor inhibitions. Let's explore together how to address this problem and thus accelerate the patient's return to normal life.
Knee or ankle pathologies: what rehabilitation care is available?
Knee and ankle conditions can require different types of treatment depending on the patient's situation and symptoms. In this section, we will briefly review the problems caused by knee and ankle pathologies, as well as the various treatment options available to affected patients.
The symptoms of this type of pathology
Knee pathologies can be detected through various symptoms. patellofemoral syndrome This can cause, for example, sharp knee pain, instability, or a crackling sensation in the joint when bending it. knee flexion contracture This condition is characterized by an inability to straighten the leg and causes discomfort while walking. This symptom is due to muscle contractions, particularly in the calf and hamstring muscles.
Ankle pathologies, in particular sprainsThese conditions are also highlighted by certain identifiable symptoms (muscle or joint pain, stiffness, swelling, bruising, etc.). Furthermore, inadequate management of this type of condition can also lead to a feeling of instability in the patient, particularly when walking on uneven terrain.
What are the different rehabilitation techniques applied?
The management of knee and ankle pathologies relies on various techniques. These are determined by healthcare professionals based on the patient's situation.
Ankle instability, for example, can be managed through preventive, medical, or surgical treatment. Preventive treatment aims to limit the development of instability following a sprain, while medical or surgical interventions are generally recommended in cases of established instability. It's important to note that in all three cases, physiotherapy (rehabilitation) sessions are strongly advised to strengthen the ankle's stabilizing muscles.
Knee pathologies are also treated according to their nature. Most of the time, a physiotherapy program is offered to the patient in order to limit the risk of recurrence and/ormotor inhibitions which could then lead to a hindrance in rehabilitation, as we will discover later in this article.
The impact of a blockage in rehabilitation on patients' daily lives
During functional rehabilitation, patients may develop motor inhibition at the pathological stage. As a reminder, motor inhibition is a natural brain mechanism that allows for motor adjustment by suppressing unwanted movements. If this inhibition becomes excessive, it can significantly hinder rehabilitation and considerably slow the patient's return to normal motor function. The exercises performed by the patient are then no longer as effective, and performing certain simple everyday movements becomes impossible, despite the successful repair of the affected muscle and/or joint.
The Allyane method for overcoming rehabilitation blockages
To overcome rehabilitation blocks induced by motor inhibitions, Allyane offers a method based on the combination of proprioception, mental imagery and listening to low frequency sounds, emitted by a patented medical device.
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Allyane's neuromotor reprogramming method uses low-frequency sounds to place the patient in alpha mode, a state of reduced alertness, in order to erase deficient motor patterns and relearn correct movement (through mental imagery and proprioception). This method yields effective results not only in the treatment of patients recovering from the aforementioned knee and ankle pathologies, but also in overcoming rehabilitation obstacles experienced by patients suffering from motor inhibition.
Obstacles to rehabilitation: our advice for overcoming this situation
Alongside neuromotor reprogramming sessions with a certified Allyane practitioner, the patient is advised to engage in some physical exercises to accelerate the healing process.
Stéphane Ladoucette, physiotherapist and Allyane trainer, recommends performing a few targeted movements at home to work on ankle mobility and improve muscle control. Here's how to do it:
- Stand with your weight on one foot, transferring your body weight to the front of that foot, then alternate positions;
- maintain balance for 30 seconds, focusing on the sensations of control and the differences felt between the two sides;
- Try performing the exercise with your eyes open, then with your eyes closed, and finally, while passing an object behind you;
- You can also try to perform this maneuver dynamically by maintaining the initial position, then trying to touch the ground in front of you, to the sides and behind you with the other foot;
- Don't forget to work on the mobility of your impaired ankle by making a few circles in one direction, then in the other (about 5 times).
Similarly, David Touré, osteopath and Allyane trainer, recommends performing some rehabilitation exercises to accelerate the treatment of knee pathologies. These include:
- targeted strength training exercises;
- the execution of functional movements;
- proprioception exercises;
- passive mobilization of the joint and some stretching.
Furthermore, in the context of patellofemoral syndrome, Hugo Plique, sports physiotherapist and Allyane practitioner, proposes a series of 9 exercises to be performed, depending on the patient's current situation (hip mobility, strengthening of the gluteus medius, quadriceps and hamstrings, core strengthening, etc.):