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VMO-exercises

VMO exercises target the Vastus Medialis Oblique muscle, crucial for knee movement and stability. Strengthening the VMO helps prevent pain and swelling caused by improper patellar tracking, which can result from various factors like injury or poor biomechanics. A progression of exercises is provided, emphasizing proper contraction and coordination, with guidance from a physiotherapist recommended for best results.

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melkszx
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26 views

VMO-exercises

VMO exercises target the Vastus Medialis Oblique muscle, crucial for knee movement and stability. Strengthening the VMO helps prevent pain and swelling caused by improper patellar tracking, which can result from various factors like injury or poor biomechanics. A progression of exercises is provided, emphasizing proper contraction and coordination, with guidance from a physiotherapist recommended for best results.

Uploaded by

melkszx
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PATIENT INFORMATION

WHAT ARE “VMO” EXERCISES?


“VMO” stands for the Vastus Medialis
Oblique muscle. It is part of the large
muscle group that sits on the front of the
Vastus Medialis
thigh – the quadriceps or “quads”. The VMO
runs along the inside for your leg, just above
the knee. The action of the VMO is very
important in walking, running and any
weightbearing activity that involves bending Vastus Medialis Oblique
(VMO)
of the knee.

As your knee bends and straightens, the patella (knee cap) slides up
and down over the end of the thigh bone, or femur. Muscles on either
side of the patella contract to help guide this movement. The
muscles on the outside edge of the patella pull it towards the outside
of the leg. To balance this movement, the VMO muscle pulls the
patella towards the inside of the leg.

Normally, the actions of these muscles are precisely coordinated so that the patella
glides smoothly up and down over the femur. But sometimes this coordination is
disrupted and the patella gets pulled too far towards the outside of the leg. This
may be due to:

• The pain and swelling of a knee injury causing the VMO to weaken
• Tight muscles and tendons on the outside edge of the patella
• Abnormal hip and foot movements – “poor biomechanics”
• An unusually shaped patella or femur.

When the patella gets pulled in this way it rubs against the surface of the femur –
creating pain and swelling around the knee. This then develops into a “vicious
circle” in which pain and swelling causes further weakening of the VMO and so
on….
In order to prevent or treat this problem, the VMO must be strengthened so as to
restore the normal movement of the patella. Specific \exercises are needed to not
only increase the strength and size of the muscle, but to also to develop good
coordination with other parts of the quads muscle.

THE EXERCISES
Below is a progress of VMO exercises – from easiest to hardest. When performing
these exercises you should:

• concentrate on contracting the VMO first, before the rest of the quads.
• feel the muscle action with you hand for Numbers 1 and 2. For 3 to 6, try to
feel the contraction within your leg.
• hold the contraction for up to 10 seconds, to develop control and
endurance.
• respect pain – if you experience pain, then try to reduce the intensity of
effort a little, or revert to the previous pain free exercise that you have
done.

Your physiotherapist can provide you with detailed instructions on how to perform
these exercises and which level of exercise is appropriate for you. Some guidance
or assistance is often needed initially to develop this very specific muscle action.
But above all, be patient – the changes produced by these exercises take time…

1. On a bed/bench
2. Seated – push foot into the floor

3. Step - standing
4. Squatting

5. Single leg squat


6. Step down

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