Knee surgery might be the best solution for chronic knee pain or traumatic injury. Knee surgeries have a high success rate, and the prognosis for return to full function is high. After knee surgery, your doctor or physical therapist will prescribe exercises to help you recover quickly and efficiently. By actively participating in your healing by exercising, you can have a positive impact on your recovery.
Early Post-surgery
Range of motion is typically limited immediately after knee surgery. Swelling can negatively affect your knee flexion and extension range. Early exercises are designed to help regain the ability to fully flex and extend your knee and to maintain the range of motion in other joints, such as the hips and ankles. Your surgeon or a physical therapist will provide a list of exercises for you to perform. Some typical post knee surgery exercises include the following:
Quad sets: Place a rolled towel beneath your knee and contract your quadriceps muscles to push your knee down against the towel roll. This exercise helps to regain knee extension, or straightening of the knee.
Heel slides: While lying on your back, slowly bend your knee and slide your heel up toward your buttocks. Gently reverse the motion, and slide your heel back so that your knee straightens.
Straight leg raises: Contract your quadriceps muscles to straighten your knee as much as possible. Lift your leg off the bed while maintaining your knee as straight as you can.
Ankle pumps: Contract the calf muscles to point your toes, and then raise your toes toward your head. Continue to alternately point then raise your toes.
Continued Recovery
As your range of motion improves, you need to begin to strengthen the muscles around your knee. Strong quadriceps and hamstrings will make your recovery quick. Exercise cycles can help increase your range of motion, and by increasing the resistance they can help strengthen your muscles. Begin cycling by keeping the resistance low, and gradually build up the duration and intensity.
Your physical therapist will tell you when it is appropriate to change your exercise routine to include more strengthening exercises. Advanced exercises include the following:
Mini squats: Stand and hold onto a walker, railing or other firm surface for support. Slowly bend your knees and lower your body until your knees bend approximately 90 degrees. Raise your body back up to a standing position and repeat.
Kick-backs: Wear ankle weights. From a standing position, kick your lower leg back behind you while maintaining your thigh in a vertical position. This helps strengthen your hamstring muscles while improving your active knee flexion range of motion.
Long-Term Recovery
Full recovery might take several weeks or longer. During that time, continue to be active and use your knee as much as possible. Walking and climbing stairs are excellent exercise choices that will help your strength return, and in many cases, improve.
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