Patella alta as a cause of anterior knee pain in cerebral palcy: case report and rehabilitation approach

Cerebral palsy is a permanent disorder of the development in movement and posture which is a result of damage in the fetal or infant brain. Sensorial, cognitive, perceptive, behavioral disorders and epilepsy, as well as the secondary musculoskeletal problems may accompany motor disorders. Knee flexion deformity constitutes an essential part of the musculoskeletal problems. Knee flexion deformity may cause crouch gait and patella alta by affecting the extensor mechanism of the knee. As a result, these conditions may cause anterior knee pain. Quadriceps exercises, especially involving the vastus medialis obliquus, may decrease anterior knee pain and improve gait pattern induced by patella alta