What are The Best Post-Operative Knee Replacement Exercises?
For those with severe knee arthritis, physical therapy may assist increase knee range of motion (ROM) and strength. Knee surgery may be required if discomfort, restricted mobility, and joint deterioration are too severe.
When severe arthritis creates knee discomfort, restricted mobility, and great difficulty in walking, a knee replacement (TKR) operation is often performed. TKR patients may benefit from physical therapy following surgery to help them return to their pre-surgical level of mobility.
A post-operative protocol for the knee is a broad guideline that your physician and physical therapist may use to verify that you are progressing normally after surgery. You can also use knee pain relief products while performing the below-mentioned exercises.
Read Improve Your Life With Physiotherapy: Here Is How It Can Help.
Straight Leg Raises
Tighten your thigh muscles while keeping your knee straight on the bed, like in the quadriceps set above. Lift your leg a few centimetres above the ground. Hold for between five and ten seconds. You may also gradually reduce it.
Repeat until your thigh feels fatigued
Additionally, you may do leg lifts while seated. Tighten your thigh muscle and maintain complete straightening of your knee with your leg unsupported. Rep as necessary. Continue doing these exercises periodically until your thigh regains full strength.
Knee Straightening Exercises
Keep your heel from hitting the bed by placing a tiny, rolled towel directly above your heel. Tighten the thigh muscles. Your knee should be completely straight, with the back of your knee touching the bed. For 5 to 10 seconds, keep your back straight. Rep until your thigh begins to feel weary.
Heel Slides
Slowly move your heel towards your buttocks while resting on your back on the bed with your knees extended, then return to the beginning position. It’s time to do it all over again.
Ankle Pumps
By engaging your calf and shin muscles, move your foot up and down in a rhythmic manner. Perform this exercise twice or three times an hour in the recovery room for 2 to 3 minutes each. Once your ankle and lower leg edema has decreased, continue with this activity.
Bed-Supported Knee Bends
It’s easier to do this if you bend your knee and keep your heel on the bed. Slide your foot in that direction. Hold your knee in the most bent position for about 5 to 10 seconds, then straighten it. Repeat until your leg is tired, or you can bend your knee all the way.
Quadriceps Sets
Your thigh muscles should contract. Attempt to straighten out your thigh. Hold for between five and ten seconds. Then, take a one-minute break before doing the workout ten more times in two minutes. Keep going until your thigh becomes sore.
Sitting Knee Extension
Straighten your operated knee while sitting in a chair, then hold for 10 seconds on the chair in front of you. It’s time to do it all over again.
Sitting Supported Knee Bends
Place your foot beneath the heel of your operated knee for support while sitting at your bedside or in a seat with your thigh supported. Bend your knee but so far as you comfortably can. Maintain this posture for 5–10 seconds. Rep often more until your leg feels exhausted or your knee is bent.
Side-lying abduction
Lie flat on your healthy leg, bend your leg forward, and elevate your operated limb up to 300 degrees before returning it to the starting position. It’s time to do it again with the second foot.
Stair Climbing
Strengthening and endurance-building stair climbing is a great option. Always utilise a railing while climbing stairs greater than 7 inches in height. Stairs may be climbed step by step as you gain strength and mobility.
Exercycling
Exercycling is a fantastic sport for regaining muscular strength and mobility in the knees. To begin, adjust the seat height till the sole of your foot meets the pedal, and your knee is almost straight. First, pedal backwards. Proceed ahead only after establishing a comfortable cycling motion back.
Conclusion
There is a gradual gain in the patient’s strength, stamina, and range of motion from the third week of treatment. The first two weeks after a knee replacement is the most difficult. To go back to work, always follow your doctor’s or therapist’s specific directions.
Strength and mobility may be improved by regular exercise and activities. Contact a physiotherapy clinic near you in Calgary and they will help you get in the right direction.
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