Physiotherapy and EARLY Postoperative Total Knee Replacement Exercises

Physiotherapy and EARLY Postoperative Total Knee Replacement Exercises

The early postoperative total knee replacement exercises helps:

  • To facilitate blood circulation to the legs and feet in order to prevent blood clots
  •  To strengthen the muscles around the knee
  • To encourage knee movement

Physiotherapy Exercises include:

QUADRICEP SETS

Step 1: Lie on a mat on your back
Step 2: Activate and tighten your thigh muscles
Step 3: Hold for 5 seconds
Step 4: Repeat 5-10 times

STRAIGHT LEG RAISE

Step 1: Lie on a mat on your back
Step 2: Place your left foot flat on the floor with your knees bent
Step 3: Ensure your right knee is straight and your toes pointed towards the ceiling
Step 4: Activate and tighten your right thigh muscles, and lift your right leg up towards the ceiling
Step 5: Hold for 5 seconds before slowly lowering your leg back to the floor
Step 6: Repeat 5-10 times

ANKLE PUMPS

Step 1: Lie on your back
Step 2: Move your foot up towards you then away from you
Step 3: Repeat for 2-3 minutes every 2-3 hours

KNEE STRAIGHTENGING EXERCISES

Step 1: Lie on your back
Step 2: Place a small rolled towel under your heel
Step 3: Activate and tighten your thigh muscles, then push the back of your knee into the towel to straighten your knee as much as you can
Step 4: Hold for 5 seconds
Step 5: Repeat 5-10 times

BED SUPPORTED KNEE BENDS

Step 1: Lie on your back
Step 2: Bend your knee with the heel of your foot flat on the bed
Step 3: Slowly slide your foot towards your buttocks
Step 4: Hold your knee in a maximal bent position for 5-10 seconds and slowly straighten to return to natural position
Step 5: Repeat 5-10 times

SITTING SUPPORTED KNEE BENDS

Step 1: Sit on the chair with your back straight
Step 2: Place your foot behind the heel of your operated knee for support
Step 3: Slowly bend your knee as far as you can
Step 4: Hold for 5-10 seconds
Step 5: Repeat 5-10 times

SITTING UNSUPPORTED KNEE BENDS

Step 1: Sit on the chair with your back straight
Step 2: Bend your knee as far as you can until your foot gently rest on the floor
Step 3: With your foot slightly resting on the floor, slide your upper body forward in the chair to increase your knee bent
Step 4: Hold for 5-10 seconds
Step 5: Repeat 5-10 times

WALKING (with assistance and mobility aids)

STAIR ASCENDING AND DESCENDING (with assistance and mobility aids)

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Contact us today on (03) 9510 8866 to book a consultation at our Prahran office, where we can understand your specific rehabilitation process.