Exercises for above knee can improve flexibility and strength of your upper leg muscles including your buttocks, thighs and hips. Increasing your leg-function level will help with balance, walking, running and climbing stairs while also increasing performance of everyday activities like bending your knees to pick items up from the floor. Check with your doctor first because not ever exercise will be suitable for you.
Muscle Tightening
Muscle tightening or contracting, also known as isometrics, can be included as a strengthening exercise for above knee. This exercise concentrates on your quadriceps muscle located in your thigh. While either standing or sitting, extend your affected-side leg in front of you, straightening your knee as far as possible. Slowly and gently tighten your thigh muscle. Hold this tension eight seconds. Release the tension and relax 10 seconds. Repeat this exercise 10 times. As your strength increases, alter the exercise and, while tightening your thigh muscle, attempt to push your knee against a surface.
Back of Thigh
Hamstrings run along the back of your thigh, help support your knee and make activities such as jumping, sprinting and bending your knee possible. Stretching exercises that keep your hamstrings loose and flexible will decrease chances of injury. Stretch your hamstrings by sitting upright with your legs extended in front of you. Slowly bend from your waist forward, feeling the stretch along the back of your thigh. Do not attempt to touch your toes. Hold this stretch 10 seconds. Slowly return to the upright position. Relax 10 seconds. Repeat 10 times.
Leg Strengthening
Increase your leg stability and balance by strengthening your hip, buttock and thigh muscles. While standing with your left side against a firm chair, hold onto the chair's back with your left hand. Tighten your right thigh muscle. Slowly and gently lift your right leg from the surface without bending your knee. Move your leg to the outside. Hold this position five seconds. Slowly move your right leg to the inside of your left foot. Hold this position five seconds. Return your leg to the original position. Relax 10 seconds. Rotate your body so you face the chair. Tighten your right thigh muscle and lift your leg from the surface. Move your leg to the back. Hold this position five seconds. Return your leg to the original position. Relax 10 seconds. Tighten your right thigh muscle, lift your leg and move it forward. Hold this position five seconds. Return your leg to the original position. Relax 10 seconds. Repeat this exercise with your left leg.
Inner Thigh
Strengthening your inner thigh by doing a side lift can be done as an exercise for above the knee. Stand in chest-deep water with both feet firmly planted on the surface and your unaffected-side against the pool's side. Slowly lift your affected-side foot and straighten your leg. Slowly and gently move your leg to the outside. Feel the stretch in your upper thigh area. Hold this position for 10 seconds. Slowly return your leg to the original position. Repeat this exercise 10 times. This exercise can also be done on land.
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