If you're preparing to undergo knee surgery, you probably know the road to recovery may be a long one. Joint replacement surgery can take months of rehabilitation exercises and treatments to fully recover. Doing pre-surgery exercises, according to Arthritis Today, can speed recovery time and reduce the need for inpatient rehabilitation after surgery by up to 73 percent. Although "pre-hab" exercises are recommended as early as six weeks before surgery, any amount of time prior to surgery can be beneficial.
Hamstring Stretch
Sit in a chair with both feet flat on the floor and your back straight. Straighten one leg to the point it is parallel with the floor. Hold for up to 15 seconds and lower your leg back down to the floor in its resting position. Do this several times, but don't push yourself too hard to avoid causing further damage to your knee. You can also support your leg while in the raised position by holding the underside of your lower leg up with your hands.
Heel Raises
Heel raises are a good standing exercise. While standing close to a chair or counter for balance, raise up onto your tiptoes and hold for up to 15 seconds. While doing this, keep your back straight and stand tall. Repeat several times, or kick it up a notch by doing the same thing but standing on one leg at a time.
Bed Exercise
Lie on your back, making sure your body is straight, and squeeze your glutes together. Hold for five seconds and repeat. You can also use a bolster or a rolled-up towel to prop up your leg under the knee joint. While lying back with legs straight, lift the foot that is propped up at the knee joint only. Hold for up to five seconds, lower the leg and repeat. This exercise is similar to the chair exercise.
Foot Slides
While lying down, keep one leg straight in the resting position and place the other foot flat on the bed with your knee bent. Slowly slide your foot upward toward the trunk of your body. This exercise can be a bit more challenging, especially if your injured knee is weakened. Don't slide your foot to the point of pain.
Considerations
The point of pre-hab or pre-surgery exercises is to strengthen your knee going in to the surgery, not to cause further damage. Your doctor or physical therapist will be able to assist you in deciding which type of exercise, if any, will best suit your needs. Inform your doctor of any pain or discomfort to ensure you don't cause more harm than good.
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