Knee Replacement Exercise Guide

Regular exercise to restore your knee mobility and strength and a gradual return to everyday activities are important for your full recovery. Your orthopaedic surgeon and physical therapist may recommend that you exercise approximately 20 to 30 minutes two or three times a day and walk 30 minutes, two or three times a day during your early recovery. Your orthopaedist may suggest some of the following exercises.The following guide can help you better understand your exercise/activity program, supervised by your therapist and orthopaedic surgeon.

Early Post-operative Exercises

Start the following exercises as soon as you are able. You can begin these in the recovery room shortly after surgery. You may feel uncomfortable at first, but these exercises will speed your recovery and actually diminish your post-operative pain. Quad Sets - Tighten your thigh muscle. Try to straighten your knee. Hold for 5 to 10 seconds. Repeat this exercise approximately 10 times during a two minute period, rest one minute and repeat. Continue until your thigh feels fatigued.

Straight Leg Raises - Tighten the thigh muscle with your knee fully
straightened on the bed, as with the Quad set. Lift your leg several inches. Hold
for five to 10 seconds. Slowly lower. Repeat until your thigh feels fatigued. You also can do leg raises while sitting. Fully tighten your thigh muscle and
hold your knee fully straightened with your leg unsupported. Repeat as above.
Continue these exercises periodically until full strength returns to your thigh.

Ankle Pumps - Move your foot up and down rhythmically by contracting the
calf and shin muscles. Perform this exercise periodically for two to three minutes,
two or three times an hour in the recovery room. Continue this exercise until you
are fully recovered and all ankle and lower-leg swelling has subsided.

Knee Straightening Exercises - Place a small rolled towel just above your
heel so that it is not touching the bed. Tighten your thigh. Try to fully straighten
your knee and to touch the back of your knee to the bed. Hold fully straightened
for five to 10 seconds. Repeat until your thigh feels fatigued.

Bed-Supported Knee Bends - Bend your knee as much as possible while sliding
your foot on the bed. Hold your knee in a maximally bent position for 5 to 10 seconds
and then straighten. Repeat several times until your leg feels fatigued or until you can
completely bend your knee.

Sitting Supported Knee Bends - While sitting at bedside or in a chair with
your thigh supported, place your foot behind the heel of your operated knee for
support. Slowly bend your knee as far as you can. Hold your knee in this position for
5 to 10 seconds. Repeat several times until your leg feels fatigued or until you can
completely bend your knee.

Sitting Unsupported Knee Bends - While sitting at bedside or in a chair
with your thigh supported, bend your knee as far as you can until your foot rests
on the floor. With your foot lightly resting on the floor, slide your upper body
forward in the chair to increase your knee bend. Hold for 5 to 10 seconds.
Straighten your knee fully. Repeat several times until your leg feels fatigued or
until you can completely bend your knee.

Early Activity

Soon after your surgery, you will begin to walk short distances in your hospital room and perform everyday activities. This early activity aids your recovery and helps your knee regain its strength and movement.

Walking - Proper walking is the best way to help your knee recover. At first,
you will walk with a walker or crutches. Your surgeon or therapist will tell you
how much weight to put on your leg. Stand comfortably and erect with your weight evenly balanced on your walker
or crutches. Advance your walker or crutches a short distance; then reach forward
with your operated leg with your knee straightened so the heel of your foot touches
the floor first. As you move forward, your knee and ankle will bend and your entire
foot will rest evenly on the floor. As you complete the step, your toe will lift off the
floor and your knee and hip will bend so that you can reach forward for your next
step. Remember, touch your heel first, then flatten your foot, then lift your toes
off the floor.

Walk as rhythmically and smooth as you can. Don't hurry. Adjust the length
of your step and speed as necessary to walk with an even pattern. As your
muscle strength and endurance improve, you may spend more time walking.
You will gradually put more weight on your leg. You may use a cane in the
hand opposite your surgery and eventually walk without an aid. When you can walk and stand for more than 10 minutes and your knee is strong
enough so that you are not carrying any weight on your walker or crutches
(often about two to three weeks after your surgery), you can begin using a single
crutch or cane. Hold the aid in the hand opposite the side of your surgery. You
should not limp or lean away from your operated knee.

Stair Climbing and Descending - The ability to go up and down stairs requires
strength and flexibility. At first, you will need a handrail for support and will be able
to go only one step at a time. Always lead up the stairs with your good knee and
down the stairs with your operated knee. Remember, "up with the good" and "down
with the bad." You may want to have someone help you until you have regained most
of your strength and mobility. Stair climbing is an excellent strengthening and endurance activity. Do not try to climb
steps higher than the standard height (7 inches) and always use a handrail for balance.
As you become stronger and more mobile, you can begin to climb stairs foot over foot.

Advanced Exercises and Activities

Once you have regained independence for short distances and a few steps, you may increase your activity. The pain of your knee problems before surgery and the pain and swelling after surgery have weakened your knee. A full recovery will take many months. The following exercises and activities will help you recover fully.

Standing Knee Bends - Standing erect with the aid of a walker or crutches, lift your thigh and bend your knee as much as you can. Hold for 5 to 10 seconds. Then straighten your knee, touching the floor with your heel first. Repeat several times until fatigued. Assisted Knee Bends - Lying on your back, place a folded towel over your operated knee and drop the towel to your foot. Bend your knee and apply gentle pressure through the towel to increase the bend. Hold for 5 to 10 seconds; repeat several times until fatigued. Knee Exercises with Resistance - You can place light weights around your ankle and repeat any of the above exercises. These resistance exercises usually can begin four to six weeks after your surgery. Use one- to two-pound weights at first; gradually increase the weight as your strength returns. (Inexpensive wrap-around ankle weights with Velcro straps can be purchased at most sporting goods stores.)

Exercycling - Exercycling is an excellent activity to help you regain muscle
strength and knee mobility. At first, adjust the seat height so that the bottom of
your foot just touches the pedal with your knee almost straight. Peddle backward
at first. Ride forward only after a comfortable cycling motion is possible backwards. As you become stronger (at about four to six weeks) slowly increase the tension on
the exercycle. Exercycle for 10 to 15 minutes twice a day, gradually build up to 20
to 30 minutes, three or four times a week.

Pain or Swelling after Exercise - You may experience knee pain or swelling after exercise or activity. You can relieve this by elevating your leg and applying ice wrapped in a towel. Exercise and activity should consistently improve your strength and mobility. If you have any questions or problems, contact your orthopaedic surgeon or physical therapist. Reviewed 2000