Your knees offer a stable support system for your body. However, issues such as arthritis, constant friction and overuse can lead to inflammation and prevent your knees from doing their job. Once your doctor determines that the cause of your knee inflammation can be helped by physical therapy, he will help you come up with a series of effective exercises.
Considerations
Abide closely by your doctor's exercise instructions. Although you may feel some discomfort due to the challenge you're giving your muscles, don't ignore any serious pain, recommends the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Stop any exercise if it causes you pain and don't resume until you talk to your doctor. Also take a break and let your doctor know if you feel any serious pain after you exercise.
Straight-Leg Lift
Lie flat face-up with your right leg bent up and the left fully extended. Tighten your left thigh muscles and lift the leg until you bring it to about one foot off the floor. Hold this position to the count of about five and slowly lower it back down. Reverse leg positions and repeat the same exercise with your left leg. Avoid arching your back during the exercise and keep your stomach muscles contracted to hold your low back down against the floor.
Standing Calf Stretch
Face a bare wall and place your hands against it at eye level. While holding your uninjured leg forward, pull your injured leg one to two feet behind your front leg. While keeping your injured leg extended straight and holding your heel to the floor, slightly bend your front leg to move into a lunge. Lean your upper body into the wall until you feel stretching in your back calf muscle. Hold the stretch for 30 to 60 seconds, return to standing and repeat two more times.
Quadricep Stretch
Stand behind a study chair and hold onto the back as you lift your left foot and draw it towards your buttocks. Use your left hand to hold your left ankle and draw it closer in to your body. Feel a gentle stretch in front of your leg. Maintain the position for 30 seconds, slowly return to standing and repeat on the right side. Avoid twisting or arching your back during the exercise to reduce you risk of injury.
Hamstring Stretch
Lie flat face-up with your right leg straight and your left leg flexed at about 90 degrees at your hip. Extend both arms to clasp your fingers around your left leg and gently hold your thigh. Slowly straighten out your knee until you feel stretching in the back of your thigh. Hold this stretch for five seconds, repeat 10 to 15 times and perform the same stretch on your right leg.
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