Knee replacement surgery is becoming increasingly common. Pain caused by osteoarthritis drives many people to consider knee replacement. To recover from surgery with minimal complications, rehabilitation exercises are crucial. These exercises rebuild strength and increase knee range of motion to speed up return to activity and improve function. Your orthopedic surgeon or physical therapist will work with you to design an exercise program that will facilitate recovery.
Early Intervention
Rehabilitation typically begins on the day of or the day after surgery. The first few days consist of bed exercises designed to maintain or increase knee range of motion. A physical therapist will also work to help you walk and negotiate stairs. The therapist will also guide you in determining how many repetitions of each exercise to perform. Bed exercises include the following:
Ankle pumps: While lying on your back, pump your ankles up and down alternately.
Heel slides: Lie on your back with both legs extended straight. Slide one heel toward your bottom as you bend your knee. Hold the position for up to 10 seconds, then slide your heel back to the start position.
Quadricep sets: This exercise is designed to improve knee extension range. Lie on your back with your legs extended straight. Place a rolled towel under one ankle. Use your quadriceps muscle to straighten your leg and push your knee down toward the bed or mat and hold the position for 5 seconds.
Knee extensions: Lie on your back with legs extended straight. Place a bolster or pillow beneath one knee so that it props your knee up in the air. Slowly kick your foot up into the air while maintaining your thigh on the bolster. The movement occurs at the knee, not the hip.
Straight leg raises: Lie flat on your back with legs extended straight. While keeping your knee straight, lift your leg off the bed or mat using the muscles of your hip. Hold the leg in the raised position for up to 10 seconds, then slowly lower.
At Home
Once you've been discharged to go home, continue to follow the home exercise program given to you by your physical therapist or surgeon. You will be able to gradually increase intensity of your exercises by placing weights around your ankles. Eventually, you will be able to do many of your exercises in a standing position. An exercise bicycle can be an effective means of increasing knee range of motion and strength. Your physical therapist will advise you when it is safe to begin higher intensity exercise, but you can normally begin after a few weeks.
If you experience pain after exercise, take time to ice and elevate your knee. Pain post-exercise is not abnormal. If pain becomes constant, consult with your physician or therapist. Keep in mind that a full recovery may take months.
Tags: your back, your knee, back with, extended straight, legs extended, legs extended straight, physical therapist