Exercises after knee replacement surgery include stretches, leg raises, and walking. Doctors recommend starting exercises as soon as possible and gradually increasing intensity. Early exercises include working the quadriceps and knee pushups, while later exercises include standing knee bends and heel glides.
The best knee replacement exercises will help the patient to regain the full capacity of the knees by building muscle, strength, and flexibility. Typical exercises include bends, stretches, leg raises, and walking. The frequency, number of repetitions, and intensity of these exercises generally depend on the recommendation of a doctor or physical therapist. Doctors will often recommend that a patient slowly start exercising as soon as possible after an operation. Some exercises can even be done while the patient is still recovering.
Early post-operative knee replacement exercises may include working the quadriceps, raising a straight leg, and straightening the knee. These exercises mainly help to develop the thigh muscles, which can help support the new knee. Pumping the ankle for a few minutes every hour can also aid recovery by improving strength and flexibility and reducing swelling in the lower leg.
Knee pushups are also important early knee replacement exercises. They should be performed with the knee supported and unsupported to give the knee a chance to gain full strength while avoiding undue stress in the first few days after the procedure. Knee push-ups can be performed in a sitting position and while the patient is lying down on a hard surface.
Other beneficial post-operative knee replacement exercises include walking on flat surfaces, inclines, and stairs. Most patients will begin this activity while still using crutches or a walker for support. A walking routine should start slowly, with the level of difficulty and the time spent on the exercise gradually increased as the patient recovers.
Once the patient has begun to walk without assistance, more strenuous exercises can be incorporated into the daily routine. These can include standing knee bends, which are best done with the support of crutches or a walker. Resistance from light weights or exercise bands can also be added to early knee flexion exercises. Some patients may also find a light routine on an exercise bike beneficial.
Heel glides and pillow squeezes are other beneficial knee-strengthening exercises. Both exercises can be performed while lying in bed. To perform the heel slide, the patient begins with one leg straight and slowly moves the heel toward the buttocks. Pillow compression is started with the patient lying on their side, with a pillow between the knees. The knees are then squeezed together and held against the pillow for a count of ten to work the groin muscles and hip adductors.
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