The patient/caregiver was educated on exercises to help prepare for knee joint replacement surgery as follows:
Pain in the joint can be a deterrent for participation in the exercise schedule. Taking a pain medication 30 minutes before the exercise schedule can help with better pain control and improved compliance with therapy. Placing an ice pack on the knee joint for 30 minutes before and after the therapy session can add to control of pain and swelling in the joint. These sets of exercises to strengthen the knee are to be performed 3 – 4 times every day. Fix scheduled time slots during your day to perform your knee exercises. Individuals strengthening their muscles around the knee joint before surgery can have an easier and faster recovery from the knee replacement surgery.
Based on the condition of the knee and other coexisting factors, limitations could be recommended on performance of some exercises in some individuals. Check with your physician and therapist for any limitations recommended before performing these exercises.
Heel slide exercises:
- This exercise strengthens the hamstring muscles on the back of the thigh and helps with increasing the bend of the knee, which is important for establishing the range of motion in the knee.
- You can sit in the bed or on any firm surface, legs stretched out in front of you on the bed, with the knee and toes pointing straight up.
- To perform this exercise, draw your leg against the surface of the bed closer to your hip, the goal being getting the heel of the leg as close as possible to the hip.
- This helps with bending the knee and establishing range of motion in the knee.
- Due to pain in the knee joint, some individuals might find it difficult to bend the knee and draw the heel closer.
- In such cases, it might help to use a stretch strap under the thigh, hold the strap tight with the hands, and support the drawing of leg closer.
- Even if you are using a stretch strap, the maximum work should be done by the leg to derive the intended result.
- Once the heel is closest to the hip, hold it for a count of 5, and relax by stretching the leg out.
- Then you can repeat the task by bringing the heel closer to hip, holding it for a count of 5, and then relaxing by stretching the leg out. Repeat this pattern for 10 – 15 sets of heel slide exercises.
Seated knee flexion:
- This exercise helps with increasing the bend of the knee, which is important for establishing the range of motion in the knee.
- You can sit in the chair with legs relaxed and stretched out in front of you and toes pointing straight forward.
- To perform this exercise, draw the leg to be exercised back against the floor closer to the chair to the extent possible.
- This helps bending the knee and promotes flexion of the knee joint. Once the leg is closest to the edge of the chair, hold it for a count of 5, stretch the leg out and relax.
- Then you can repeat the task by bringing the leg closer to edge of chair, holding it for a count of 5, and then stretching the leg out again.
- Repeat this pattern for 10 – 15 sets of seated knee flexion exercises.
