Knee surgery
Knee arthroscopy
The quad set
Lie down on a bed or the floor, with the affected leg as straight as possible, the unaffected leg bent as shown. One or two rolled up towels are placed under the affected leg at the knee. The exercise is to contract the quadrisect muscle and push the knee down into the towel. Hold the position for two to three seconds, then release and relax completely. Repeat the exercise 20 times.
Remember, all exercises on this website are given as examples. Use common sense when doing them, and should you encounter difficulty, call our office immediately.
The ankle pump
Lie on a bed with your foot and ankle extended over the side. The unaffected leg is bent as shown. Flex your ankle as shown, pointing your toes back as far as possible, then extending them as you return to the starting position. Repeat the exercise 20 times.
Remember, all exercises on this website are given as examples. Use common sense when doing them, and should you encounter difficulty, call our office immediately.
The heel slide
Lie flat on a bed or the floor with the affected leg outstretched, the unaffected leg bent as shown. Place a towel folded as shown under the foot of the affected leg.
You will drag your foot as you bend your leg, dragging the towel towards your buttocks. As you do this, try to maintain a straight line with the toe of your shoe facing the ceiling. You will then slide your foot back into the starting position.
Try to achieve full extension as you return to the starting position, trying to achieve as much flex as possible as you draw your foot towards your buttocks. Repeat the exercise 20 times.
Remember, all exercises on this website are given as examples. Use common sense when doing them, and should you encounter difficulty, call our office immediately.
An alternate way to perform the heel slide
You will position yourself on a bed or the floor, with your foot on a towel as shown and your back against a wall, the headboard or something sturdy to provide lateral support. You can use a towel or bed sheet as shown here, wrapping it around your foot or shoe, holding the ends in your hands. Slide your foot towards your buttocks, using the towel to provide assistance. You will then straighten your leg to the starting position. Using the towel for additional support may assist you in achieving additional flex. Again, extend your leg as far as possible as you return to the starting position and draw your foot up as close as possible to your buttocks during each rep. Repeat the exercise 20 times.
Remember, all exercises on this website are given as examples. Use common sense when doing them, and should you encounter difficulty, call our office immediately.
The straight leg raise
Lie on your back as shown, the affected leg fully extended, the unaffected leg bent. Flex your ankle back, straighten your knee as much as possible, tense the muscle on the top of your thigh and slowly raise your leg to approximately half the height of your bent leg. Slowly lower your leg to the starting position. It is important that you maintain a straight leg and a tight quadriceps muscle. Repeat the exercise 10 times. As your strength increases, you may add small ankle weights.
Remember, all exercises on this website are given as examples. Use common sense when doing them, and should you encounter difficulty, call our office immediately.
A variation on the straight leg raise
Lay on your side as shown, with the affected leg on top, the unaffected leg bent as shown. Flex your ankle to point your toes back towards you, and with your leg fully extended, slowly abduct or lift your leg straight up as shown, then slowly lowering it until it almost reaches the bed or floor. It is important that you keep your ankle flexed, your knee straight and your quadriceps muscle tight as you perform this exercise. Repeat the exercise 10 times.
Remember, all exercises on this website are given as examples. Use common sense when doing them, and should you encounter difficulty, call our office immediately.
The gluteal squeeze
Lie flat on the bed or table as shown, with your legs fully extended in front of you. Squeeze your buttocks muscles together, hold for two to three seconds, then relax. Repeat the exercise 10 times.
Remember, all exercises on this website are given as examples. Use common sense when doing them, and should you encounter difficulty, call our office immediately.
Total/partial knee resurfacing
The quad set
Lie down on a bed or the floor, with the affected leg as straight as possible, the unaffected leg bent as shown. One or two rolled up towels are placed under the affected leg at the knee. The exercise is to contract the quadrisect muscle and push the knee down into the towel. Hold the position for two to three seconds, then release and relax completely. Repeat the exercise 20 times.
Remember, all exercises on this website are given as examples. Use common sense when doing them, and should you encounter difficulty, call our office immediately.
The ankle pump
Lie on a bed with your foot and ankle extended over the side. The unaffected leg is bent as shown. Flex your ankle as shown, pointing your toes back as far as possible, then extending them as you return to the starting position. Repeat the exercise 20 times.
Remember, all exercises on this website are given as examples. Use common sense when doing them, and should you encounter difficulty, call our office immediately.
The heel slide
Lie flat on a bed or the floor with the affected leg outstretched, the unaffected leg bent as shown. Place a towel folded as shown under the foot of the affected leg.
You will drag your foot as you bend your leg, dragging the towel towards your buttocks. As you do this, try to maintain a straight line with the toe of your shoe facing the ceiling. You will then slide your foot back into the starting position.
Try to achieve full extension as you return to the starting position, trying to achieve as much flex as possible as you draw your foot towards your buttocks. Repeat the exercise 20 times.
Remember, all exercises on this website are given as examples. Use common sense when doing them, and should you encounter difficulty, call our office immediately.
An alternate way to perform the heel slide
You will position yourself on a bed or the floor, with your foot on a towel as shown and your back against a wall, the headboard or something sturdy to provide lateral support. You can use a towel or bed sheet as shown here, wrapping it around your foot or shoe, holding the ends in your hands. Slide your foot towards your buttocks, using the towel to provide assistance. You will then straighten your leg to the starting position. Using the towel for additional support may assist you in achieving additional flex. Again, extend your leg as far as possible as you return to the starting position and draw your foot up as close as possible to your buttocks during each rep. Repeat the exercise 20 times.
Remember, all exercises on this website are given as examples. Use common sense when doing them, and should you encounter difficulty, call our office immediately.
The straight leg raise
Lie on your back as shown, the affected leg fully extended, the unaffected leg bent. Flex your ankle back, straighten your knee as much as possible, tense the muscle on the top of your thigh and slowly raise your leg to approximately half the height of your bent leg. Slowly lower your leg to the starting position. It is important that you maintain a straight leg and a tight quadriceps muscle. Repeat the exercise 10 times. As your strength increases, you may add small ankle weights.
Remember, all exercises on this website are given as examples. Use common sense when doing them, and should you encounter difficulty, call our office immediately.
The standing hip deflection
Stand behind your walker, a chair or kitchen counter, then raise your knee as shown here, keeping your foot facing forward. Do NOT raise your knee above hip level. Repeat the exercise 10 times.
The gluteal squeeze
Lie flat on the bed or table as shown, with your legs fully extended in front of you. Squeeze your buttocks muscles together, hold for two to three seconds, then relax. Repeat the exercise 10 times.
Remember, all exercises on this website are given as examples. Use common sense when doing them, and should you encounter difficulty, call our office immediately.