Exercise after knee replacement surgery is necessary for recovery. Following a specific program that addresses all the muscle groups around your knee is what you need post-surgery. Just making sure you get up and move around to get some exercise is not enough. Stretching is half of a knee replacement program and should be used along with strength training. Consult with your doctor about any new exercises you'd like to try.
Knee Flexion Stretching
Stretching serves two purposes post-surgery: to ensure your knee can straighten fully and can bend easily. These two concerns deal with range of motion. If your knee cannot bend, also called knee flexion, activities such as walking, running or climbing stairs become difficult. Knees are supposed to bend to 120 degrees, minimum. You need to flex your knee to 110 degrees to go up stairs freely. Without stretching, your knee may become too stiff after surgery to bend 120 degrees, or even the 70 degrees necessary for walking.
Knee Extension Stretching
Straightening your knee is called knee extension. It is the opposite action as knee flexion and therefore requires a different stretch. It is normal to keep your knee slightly bent as this takes pressure off your knee joint. However, if you always bend your knee even a minute amount, you eventually won't be able to straighten your leg. Knee replacement surgery may reduce stiffness, but you still need to stretch if you want your knee to extend through its full range of motion.
Chair Knee Bends
Chair knee bends are a stretching exercise that promotes range of motion while bend your knees. To perform chair knee bends, sit on the edge of a chair with your feet on the floor and your legs straight. Slide the foot of the leg with the replaced knee toward you as far as you can. Slide it under the chair if you can. Hold for three seconds and relax. Your hips and upper body should remain still.
Passive Knee Stretch
Passive knee stretch with quads contraction is an exercise for straightening your leg. Passive means you let gravity do the work, unlike with knee bends, during which you use your muscles actively to bend your knee to do the stretch. To perform this stretch, lie face up in your bed and place a bolster or pillow under your heel. Straighten your leg as much as you can, and place a light ankle weight on your thigh. Relax for a few minutes, letting your knee straighten as it will.
