Exercises For Those Who Need A Knee Replacement

A knee replacement involves removing the damaged or diseased portion of your knee and replacing it with a prosthesis to help improve your quality of life. Prior to surgery, many surgeons are now recommending a pre-habilitation program that begins at least six weeks prior to your knee replacement. Pre-habilitation programs help improve the result of a knee replacement and help patients recover faster, according to Hal Crane, an orthopaedic surgeon and medical director at the Rose Institute for Joint Replacement in Denver, Colorado. If you are expected to undergo knee replacement surgery, ask your physician about exercising prior to your surgery.

Standing Heel Raises

Standing heel raises help to improve your balance and strengthen your knees prior to your knee replacement. Stand with your hands on the back of a chair or positioned on a counter top for support. Your feet should be positioned a hip's-width apart and you should be standing up straight. Keep your knees straight and slowly rise onto your toes. You should feel a stretch in the back of your legs. Hold this position for a count of five seconds. Slowly lower your body back down so that your heels are touching the ground. Relax and repeat 10 times.

Hamstring Stretch

A hamstring stretch can help strengthen your knee and leg prior to your surgery. This exercise can be completed seated. Sit with your back flat against the back of your chair. Your healthy leg should be positioned with your knee bent and your foot flat on the floor. Place the heel of your affected leg on the floor with your knee slightly bent. Slowly raise your leg off the ground by straightening your knee. Try to straighten your knee out as far as you comfortably can. If needed, you can support your leg by grasping your hands around your thigh. You should feel a stretch in the back of your thigh. Hold this position for a count of five seconds. Relax and repeat 10 times.

Straight Leg Raises

Straight leg raises help to provide strength in your knee and leg prior to surgery. Lie on the ground with your back flat. Your unaffected leg should be bent at the knee with your foot on the ground facing forward. Your affected leg should be extended as far as possible in front of you. Slowly tighten your abdominal muscles and raise your affected leg off the ground while keeping your leg as straight as possible. To make this exercise easier, tighten your thigh muscle as you raise your leg. Avoid bending your knee throughout this exercise. Try to raise your leg 1/2 foot off of the ground. Hold this position for a few seconds. Lower your leg back to the starting position and repeat. Complete one set of 10 repetitions.

Shoulder Blade Squeezes

This exercise is beneficial in strengthening your back and shoulders. Strength in your upper body is important since you are likely to be spending time on crutches or with a walker. A strong upper body can make your mobility much easier as you recover. Stand up tall or sit with your back straight in a chair. Slowly push your shoulders backwards so that you squeeze your shoulder blades together. Hold this position for a few seconds. Then roll your shoulder blades backwards and down to a relaxed position. Hold this position for a few seconds. Relax and repeat 10 times.