Exercises After Knee Surgery
Most knee surgery patients will be able to leave the hospital within 1 to 3 days. It’s important to avoid bending/kneeling, lifting heavy objects, and standing for long periods of time. Unlike shoulder surgery, knee surgery can present additional challenges when it comes to your ability to move around. This is why it’s critical to perform your prescribed physical therapy exercises to ensure a full recovery.
While no two treatment plans will be exactly alike, these are a small set of exercises that are commonly prescribed for post knee surgery rehabilitation.
Disclaimer:
These exercises are meant to serve as examples of singular exercises within an entire rehabilitation program and should not be initiated until your surgeon or physical therapist recommends it.
Quadricep Set to Straight Leg Raise
Sit on a flat surface with the knee extended (straight).
Step 1: Squeeze the quadricep muscle group (top of thigh)
Step 2: Raise the leg from the surface, keeping your knee as straight as possible.
Step 3: Lower your leg to the table slowly, and repeat.
Exercises After Knee Surgery
Most knee surgery patients will be able to leave the hospital within 1 to 3 days. It’s important to avoid bending/kneeling, lifting heavy objects, and standing for long periods of time. Unlike shoulder surgery, knee surgery can present additional challenges when it comes to your ability to move around. This is why it’s critical to perform your prescribed physical therapy exercises to ensure a full recovery.
While no two treatment plans will be exactly alike, these are a small set of exercises that are commonly prescribed for post knee surgery rehabilitation.
Disclaimer:
These exercises are meant to serve as examples of singular exercises within an entire rehabilitation program and should not be initiated until your surgeon or physical therapist recommends it.
Quadricep Set to Straight Leg Raise
Sit on a flat surface with the knee extended (straight).
Step 1: Squeeze the quadricep muscle group (top of thigh)
Step 2: Raise the leg from the surface, keeping your knee as straight as possible.
Step 3: Lower your leg to the table slowly, and repeat.
Heel Prop (a.k.a. Hang Time)
Spend as much time as you can with your heel propped up, and gravity assisting in straightening the knee. This will likely be uncomfortable, but is a critical step following surgery in order to regain the ability to fully straighten your knee again.
Heel Slide
Step 1: While sitting on a flat surface, place a strap or belt beneath your foot.
Step 2: Use your hands on the strap to assist in sliding your heel toward you, bending your knee simultaneously. You may also place a towel on a slide board or baking sheet to decrease friction while you perform this exercise.
