Exercises You Should Perform After a Knee Surgery

After knee surgery, it’s important to perform gentle exercises and activities to help you fully heal and recover. These exercises listed will help you reduce swelling, improve strength, and increase range of motion. For a safe recovery, be sure to follow the exercises recommended by your doctor or physical therapist, or check with them before performing these exercises. 

Gentle exercises to do soon after surgery

Doing certain exercises shortly after surgery will improve your range of motion, strengthen weakened muscles, and improve circulation. It’s normal to feel uncomfortable at first, but remember that it will help your recovery.

Straight leg raises

This exercise should be done while wearing a brace, to protect your knee from excessive bending, straightening, or sideways forces through the joint. To do straight leg raises, lie on the floor or a bed. Bend your unaffected knee and keep that foot flat on the floor. Straighten your affected knee by contracting your quadriceps. Slowly lift that leg up several inches, and hold it for a few seconds. Repeat this exercise 10 to 15 times.

Ankle pumps

While you are lying down resting, you can perform this exercise. Simply pull your foot towards you, then push it down away from you. You’ll feel your calf and shin muscles tighten and relax. You can also rotate your foot clockwise and counterclockwise. Repeat this exercise 10 to 15 times.

Supported knee bends

Supported knee bends can be done lying down on a flat surface or while sitting in a chair. While lying down, slide your foot towards your buttocks, keeping your heel on the bed and bending your knee. Keep your knee in a bent position for up to 10 seconds, and then straighten. Or, sit near the edge of a sturdy chair. Bend your knee by slowly sliding your foot forward and backward, resting when needed. Stretch slowly and gently, and keep your muscles relaxed.

Walking

In addition to your stretches, you should make time to walk to build your strength and endurance back up. Your doctor or therapist will guide you on how much walking you should do and how much weight to put on your leg. You’ll also likely walk with crutches or a walker at first.

To begin walking again, use your crutches or walker to gain a short distance. Reach forward with your affected leg, knee straightened, so that your heel touches the floor first. Shift your body weight forward so that your knee and ankle bends, and your foot rests flat on the floor. Complete that step by rolling through and lifting your toes to take the next step. Eventually, you’ll walk farther distances and for longer periods of time. You’ll probably begin using a single crutch or cane before eventually becoming strong enough to let that go.

Walking will help you regain movement in your knee. If you had knee complications before your surgery, you may have walked a little differently to compensate. Exercising your knee post-surgery will get your knee back to functioning normally. Remember to contact your doctor or physical therapist for any questions on your activities or exercise program.

Orthopedic Corner | Leon Mead MD Orthopedic Doctor | 730 Goodlette Road North, Suite 201  Naples Florida 34102 | Phone: (239) 262-1119