Regular exercise is crucial for regaining strength and movement in your knee after a total knee replacement. Gradually getting back to your daily activities is also key for a complete recovery. Your orthopedic surgeon and physical therapist may recommend exercising for 20 to 30 minutes a day or even 2 to 3 times a day during the early stages of recovery, along with walking for 30 minutes. When exercising, it’s important to maintain proper form and gradually increase your range of motion.
This blog will explain the exercise and activity program designed by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Preetesh Choudhary. Always consult your therapist or surgeon before starting any exercises to ensure a safe recovery.
Essential Knee Exercises After Knee Replacement Surgery
Taking care of your knee is important, whether you're recovering from surgery, dealing with knee pain, or trying to prevent injuries. The exercises after knee replacement surgery are specifically designed to improve mobility, strengthen the muscles around the knee joint, and promote overall flexibility. Doing these exercises regularly will help improve knee function and reduce pain.
Here are detailed descriptions of each exercise:
- Ankle Pumps
This exercise is crucial for maintaining blood flow, reducing stiffness, and preventing swelling in the knee area after surgery. It helps strengthen and stretch the calf muscles.
How to perform:
- Position: Lie on your back with your legs straight.
- Movement: Gently move your foot up and down at the ankle joint, as far as you can in both directions.
- Reps: Repeat 10 to 15 times on each side.
- Benefits: This simple exercise boosts circulation in the lower leg and helps prevent swelling, making it a great starting movement before other exercises.
- Knee Press
This exercise focuses on strengthening the quadriceps, the muscles at the front of your thigh. Strong thigh muscles are important for keeping your knee stable after surgery.
How to perform:
- Position: Lie flat on your back with your legs stretched out. Place a folded towel under your knee for quadriceps support, or place the towel under your ankle for hamstring support.
- Movement: Press your knee downward, engaging the thigh muscles.
- Hold: Hold for 10 seconds, then relax.
- Reps: Perform 10 to 15 repetitions on both legs.
- Benefits: Strengthening the quadriceps helps stabilize the knee joint and reduces strain during activities like walking and climbing stairs.
- Straight Leg Raise
This exercise is great for strengthening the thigh muscles without stressing the knee joint.
How to perform:
- Position: Lie flat on your back. Bend one leg at the knee and keep the other leg straight.
- Movement: Lift the straight leg to a 40-degree angle.
- Hold: Hold for 5 to 10 seconds, then slowly lower it.
- Reps: Repeat 10 to 15 times for both legs.
- Benefits: This exercise strengthens the quadriceps and hip flexors, which support the knee joint and improve range of motion.
- Side Lying Abduction
This exercise targets the muscles on the sides of the hips, which are important for balance and stability while moving.
How to perform:
- Position: Lie on your side with the non-operated leg on top.
- Movement: Raise the top leg upwards, holding it in the air for 10 seconds, then lower it slowly.
- Reps: Perform 10 to 15 repetitions on both sides.
- Benefits: Strengthening the hip abductors helps stabilize the knee during walking, running, and other leg movements.
Read More- https://mlsclinic.com/effective-exercises-after-knee-replacement-surgery/
Visit website- https://mlsclinic.com