The first 2 weeks...
A rehabilitation program is an important part of the recovery after knee replacement. It is very important to regain your range of motion early in the recovery after knee replacement. You should be able to straighten your knee completely and bend it to at least 90 degrees (leg is straight down when sitting in a chair) - 110 degrees (a little past straight down) within the first 2 weeks after surgery. The early part of this program is designed to help your gain your range of motion. Strenghtening will come later.
This post-operative protocol is a general guideline that you can follow to ensure that you are progressing properly after your surgery. Remember that every person is different, and your specific progression through the protocol may be faster or slower.
Do not overdo the exercises or push to get further ahead. It can slow down your recovery or do harm. Slow and steady...
1Ankle Pumps
How: Lie down on your back or sit in a chair. Pull your toes up toward your head then point your toes down. You can do this exercise with both ankles at the same time, or separately.
How often: During the first 2 weeks after surgery, repeat this motion 10 times an hour. This will help decrease swelling in your legs.
2Quadriceps Sets
How: Lie down on your back or with your back supported and leg out straight. Tighten the muscles in your thigh and press the back of your knee into the bed. Hold for 5 to 10 seconds if able. Do this exercise with each leg.
How often: Work up to 10 reps, 3 times a day.
3Gluteal Sets
How: Lie down on your back or sit in a chair. Squeeze your buttocks together tightly. Your hips should raise slightly. Hold for 5 seconds. Repeat.
How often: Work up to 10 reps, 3 times a day.
4Heel Slides
How: Lie down on your back with your leg straight. Bend your knee and slide your heel up toward your buttocks, then slide your heel back down. Don’t lift your heel off of the bed. Don’t let your knee roll inward. Do this exercise with each leg.
How often: Work up to 10 reps, 3 times a day.
5Terminal Knee Extensions
How: Lie down on your back. Place a rolled up towel, pillow, foam roller, or ball under your knee. Tighten your thigh and lift your heel up off of the bed to straighten your knee while keeping the back of your knee on the towel roll. Hold for 5 to 10 seconds if able. Do this exercise with each leg.
How often: Work up to 10 reps, 3 times a day.
6Extension Stretch
How: While sitting in a chair, place the heel of your affected leg on a chair directly in front of you. Push your knee down towards the floor by tightening the muscles on top/front of your thigh. Work up to getting your leg straight. This exercise will help you regain range of motion in your knee. This exercise can also be done in bed, lying down with a bolster underneath you ankle and pushing your knee down towards the bed.
How often: 10 reps, 5 times a day or more. This is one of the most important exercises to do early on and it is ok to do it more frequently.
7Scooting Knee Bend
How: Sit in a chair keeping the foot of your affected leg flat on the floor. Use your arms to scoot your hips forward towards the end of the chair. This will help you bend your knee. Make sure to hold this position for 30 to 60 seconds to allow your muscles to relax. Try to scoot forward in the chair again to bend your knee even more. Work towards bending your knee 90 degrees or greater. This exercise will help you regain range of motion in your knee.
How often: Work up to 5 reps, 3 times a day.
Settle Into a Routine
- Set aside time 3 times a day to do the exercises.
- You may find that you will have to work up to doing the exercises to the reccomended amount.
- Walk a little every hour that you are awake.
- Move your knee every hour that you are awake so it doesn't get stiff.
- Ice/cold compression for your knee for 30 minutes after you finish the exercises.
- Elevate your knee and leg above the level of your heart 3 times a day for 30 minutes at a time to reduce swelling in your leg.
Tips
- Try to keep your knee straight or bent close to 90 degrees when you are at rest.
- Keeping the knee a little bent, with a pillow behind it is a more comortable position for your knee but you should avoid spending too much time like this. You can do this occasionally if you need for comfort after doing something strenuous.
- Ice/Cold compression therapy in place when at rest.
- You may need to take some pain medication approximately 30 minutes before working on your stretching exercises.
- Walk with a walker to help with balance for first few days to a week. Then progress to a cane.
- May go up and down a flight of stairs once if needed. Try to limit this as much as possible for the first 2 weeks.
You will have an opportunity to meet with a physical therapist before your surgery date. They will review the key points in this guide and answer any questions you have. You can also reach out to our office with any questions along the way.
Contents Your Recovery Knee Rehab Full Program