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After a knee replacement surgery, it is important for you to follow a proper exercise routine. Performing the right exercises after knee replacement surgery can help you regain the motion in your knee at a faster pace. Some of the other advantages of performing knee exercises after knee replacement surgery are -

• Prevention of muscle loss, which usually occurs after surgery
• Reducing stiffness in the new knee joint
• Increasing strength in the knee muscles

However, not all forms of exercise are appropriate for you, after a knee replacement surgery. Do make sure that you follow the rehabilitation instructions specified by your doctor and physical therapist. In most cases, the total knee replacement exercises after surgery recommended by specialists include:

Quadriceps Set

Most doctors recommend quad exercises after knee replacement surgery, as they initiate muscle contraction and increase the extension of the knee. You can perform this exercise many times each hour. For this exercise, you need to -

• Lie down on a flat surface, like bed, keeping your legs straight, together and your arms at your sides.
• Tighten your quadriceps muscles and straighten your knee. Try to push the back of your knee downward, into the bed
• You should feel your muscles contract. Hold the contraction for around 5 to 10 seconds before relaxing for a few seconds.
• Repeat the exercise with the other leg

For best results, perform 10 to 20 quadriceps sets for each leg.

Heel Sides

Also known as knee flexion, this exercise promotes activity in the muscles of your hamstrings. To practice this exercise -

• Lie down on a flat surface, like bed, keeping your legs straight, together and your arms at your sides.
• Place the foot of the operated leg flat against the bed, so that your leg is bent at the knee.
• Slide the same foot towards your buttock and keep doing so, till you feel a mild stretch in your leg
• Hold this pose for about 4 to 6 seconds before returning your foot to the starting position.

  Your physical therapist may keep a track of the extension and flexion to determine your recovery and progress.

Pillow Squeezes

This exercise can help you strengthen your groin muscles and your hip abductors. To perform a pillow squeeze correctly, you need to -

• Place a pillow between your knees or a bit above your knee joint line, if that is what you prefer
• Squeeze the pillow with your knees, till the count of ten
• Relax for a few seconds and repeat the exercise

Make sure that you practice pillow squeeze 10 to 20 times during each session.

Straight Leg Raises

This is one of the most highly recommended exercises for promoting strength in the quadriceps and flexor muscles. For executing this exercise correctly, you should -

• Lie down on a flat surface like bed, keeping your legs straight, together and your arms at your sides.
• Place the foot of your unaffected leg flat against the bed, so that your leg is bent at the knee.
• Make sure that the affected leg is absolutely straight and raise it around 6 to 10 inches off the bed
• Hold the position for around 10 to 15 seconds, before slowly lowering your leg to the bed.
• Repeat this exercise around 15 to 20 times

Once you are able to perform at least 20 straight leg raises without any difficulty, you can further strengthen your muscles, by using light ankle weights.

Some of the other useful exercises after knee replacement surgery are -

• Ankle pumps and circles
• Assisted knee bends
• Hamstring stretches
• Knee dangling or swinging
• Leg slides
• Lying kicks
• Partial squats
• Sitting kicks
• Standing knee bends
• Terminal knee extension

While stretching exercises after knee replacement help limber up your knee tendons and ligament, exercising too much, or in the wrong manner could lead to an injury and hamper your recovery to a great extent. Therefore, make sure that you practice all the exercises under the supervision of a physical therapist initially. Also follow the exercise routine recommended by your doctor, to the tee.

For more information on the appropriate exercises after knee replacement surgery, you can log on to http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00301. Alternately, you could also call the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons on 847-823-7186.

References

• Allina Patient Education, Total Knee Replacement, third edition, ortho-ahc-90140
• http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/providers/program/mas/tech/reviews/pdf/rev_rehabtkr_061705.pdf

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