Early movement is an important aspect of your recovery from knee replacement surgery. A knee replacement is sometimes necessary when degenerative condition or injury has damaged your knee joint beyond repair. The knee joint is a hinge that is made up of your femur, tibia and patella, or kneecap. With a knee replacement, the surgeon removes part of the femur at the bottom, part of the tibia at the top and possibly the patella. An artificial joint is created and attached and the healing process begins.
Towel Knee Straightening
The towel knee straightening exercise may be done on your bed by placing a small rolled up towel under your ankle. The object is to try and straighten your leg so the back of your knee touches the bed. Try to hold your leg straight for five to 10 seconds.
Thigh Tightening
Tightening your thigh may also be done from a prone position in your bed as you recover from surgery. Breathe evenly and straighten your leg to flex your quadriceps muscle. Hold the contraction for five to 10 seconds and do it 10 times in two minutes. Rest for one minute and repeat until your thigh muscle is fatigued.
Seated Knee Bends
A seated knee bend may be performed with assistance or without. To do it with help, sit in a chair with your thigh supported on the surface and position the foot of your good leg behind the heel of your bad leg. Let your repaired leg bend as far as it can with support from your other foot and hold it there for five to 10 seconds. To do the bend with no help, just allow your foot to lower to the floor and then lean forward slightly to accentuate the bend.
Climbing Stairs
Climbing stairs is an effective way to strengthen your leg muscles and knee joint following knee replacement surgery. In the beginning, try one stair at a time and hold onto the railing for support. Add more stairs as your strength improves, and lead with your good leg on the way up the stairs and with the bad leg on the way down.
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