Exercising after a below-the-knee amputation adds flexibility and strength, allowing for better coordination and balance when ambulating with a prosthesis. Exercise also benefits your cardiovascular system, and prevents your hips and knees from acquiring a fixed bent or flexed position. In addition, strengthening your muscles can make it easier to perform activities of daily living.
Hip Flexor Stretch
To tone and stretch your hamstring muscles at the back of your thighs, lie on your back, grasp the thigh of your non-amputated leg with your hands and raise your knee to your chest. Do this while pushing your opposite leg down on the bed or floor. Hold this position for 20 seconds, relax and lower your leg. Repeat with your amputated limb. Do two sets of five repetitions with each limb.
Alternative Stretch
This exercise tones and stretches the back muscles of your amputated limb. Lie on your stomach for 20 minutes with a pillow under your amputated limb, feeling the stretch in the back of your limb. Slowly progress to a larger pillow to raise your limb higher and increase the intensity of the stretch.
Adductor Stretch
This exercise stretches your adductor muscles. While sitting against a wall or with your back to the head of your bed, extend your amputated limb out to the side while slightly bending your other leg. Push on the thigh of your amputated limb so that you feel the stretch in your inner thigh. Keep both sides of your buttocks on the floor or bed during this exercise, without lifting it up in the air. Relax and repeat five times.
Side Hip Extension
The side hip extension exercise strengthens your hip muscles. While lying on your side, extend your amputated limb straight back behind you. Hold for 20 seconds and return to starting position. Do two sets of five repetitions.
Sitting Quadricep and Hamstring Exercise
While sitting in a chair that allows you to freely move your stump backwards, keep your thigh anchored on the seat of the chair. Grasp the sides of the chair for support, completely extend your amputated limb out and hold for five seconds. Relax and bend your knee back as far as possible, and hold for five seconds. Return to starting position and do two sets of five repetitions.
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