What is knee exercises?

Knee replacement rehabilitation (rehab) is a series of exercises you do after your surgery. This helps you get back your knee’s range of motion and strength. You will work with your doctor and physical therapist to plan this exercise program. To get the best results, you need to do the exercises correctly and as often and as long as your doctor or physical therapist tells you.

Before you start any exercises, talk with your doctor or physical therapist. It is important that you know exactly how to do the exercises. Stop and call your doctor if you are not sure you are doing the exercises correctly or if you have any pain. Ice your knee after exercising if it is sore.

These exercises can be done right after your surgery. You can do them in your hospital bed. Talk to your doctor before you start any of these exercises. Your doctor may tell you to do them in a certain way. You may need to do them several times each day. When you first do them, they may hurt. Your knee may click or pop. But these exercises will help you recover and may help your pain go away faster.

Quad sets

• Lie or sit on your bed.
• Tighten the thigh muscle of your affected leg.
• Hold for about 6 seconds, then rest up to 10 seconds.
• Relax your thigh and knee.
• Do 8 to 10 repetitions several times during the day.

Straight leg raises

• Lie or sit on your bed.
• Tighten the thigh muscle of your affected leg, and keep the knee straight.
• Lift your leg several inches, and hold it for 5 to 10 seconds.
• Slowly lower your leg.
• Rest a minute. Repeat 8 to 12 times with each knee. Do this exercise every day, up to 3 times a day.

Ankle pumps

• Lie or sit on your bed.
• Point your toes and feet up toward your knees as far as you can. Then point them away from you as far as you can.
• Switch between pointing your feet up and pointing them down.
• Do this for 2 to 3 minutes, 2 to 3 times an hour.

Quadriceps (thigh) strengthening exercise

• While sitting in a chair, straighten your leg and hold for 6 seconds. Then lower your leg and rest for up to 10 seconds.
• Repeat 8 to 12 times with each leg. Do every day, up to 3 times a day.
• When this thigh-strengthening exercise becomes easy, you can add a light weight to your ankle.

Bed knee bends

• Lie or sit on your bed.
• Bend your affected knee by sliding your foot toward you. Stop when your knee no longer bends.
• Hold this position for 15 to 30 seconds, and then slide your leg back down the bed.
• Do this several times.