Post Operative Exercises
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These initial exercises are designed to get you started and back on your feet, but if you have any other exercises from before your surgery, please discuss these with the ward therapist, and they will be able to advise whether you should continue. Avoid impact or heavy loading
(e.g. running or jumping) until your follow-up review with your consultant at which point you may wish to discuss return to sports.
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Static quadriceps. Lying on your back.
Pull your toes up towards you and push your knee down onto the bed so that your muscles in the front of the thigh tighten. Hold for five seconds then relax. Repeat 10 times.
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Inner range quadriceps. Lying on your back. Place a rolled up towel under your operated knee tighten the muscles at the front of the thigh and lift your heel off the bed whilst keeping your knee on the towel. Hold for five seconds then lower. Repeat 10 times
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Straight leg raises. Lying on your back. Tighten the muscles at the front of the thigh. Lift your straight leg about 10 cm off the bed. Hold for five seconds then slowly lower. Repeat 10 times
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Lying on your back. Slowly bend your operated knee by sliding your heel towards your bottom. Go as far as feels comfortable then straighten. Repeat 10 times.
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Wall squats. Stand with your back against a wall and your feet about 20cm from the wall. Slowly slide down the wall as far as you feel in control (about 40°). Then return to the upright position. Repeat 10 times.
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This last exercise is more difficult so do not start immediately. When you feel your knee is strong enough you can start this exercise but stop if you experience increased swelling in your knee or you have a significant increase in pain.
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