An above-the-knee amputation is a surgical procedure designed to remove a damaged leg above the knee joint. Conditions that potentially require this type of surgery include uncorrectable poor blood flow, traumatic injury, severe infection, birth disorders and cancer. People who receive an above-the-knee amputation need to go through extensive physical therapy to return to their everyday routines.
Initial Leg Exercises
Physical therapy for a person who has had an above-the-knee amputation begins in the hospital, frequently within two days after surgery. While in bed, you will alternately lift your residual limb and good leg and perform circling motions designed to strengthen your legs and prevent dangerous blood clots. You will also perform balancing exercises designed to accustom you to the significant change in your body's weight distribution. Exercises used for this purpose include knee bends, standing without holding onto a chair, standing on your toes and hopping on your foot.
Additional Exercises
While you're still in the hospital, your physical therapist will also help you perform deep-breathing exercises designed to open up the passageways in your lungs and reduce your chances for developing a postsurgical lung infection. In addition, she will teach you exercises that help strengthen muscles and bones throughout your body, as well as teaching you how to use a walker or crutches and start performing daily tasks without assistance. If you're going to use an artificial limb, you therapist will also prepare you and your body with the help of a temporary limb that you can use as part of your exercise routine.
Maintaining Hip Function
People with above-the-knee amputations must work hard to retain normal function of the hip muscles in their residual limbs. To prevent hip tightening after your surgery, your doctor and physical therapist will ask you to lie on your stomach two or three times a day, avoid sitting in a chair for extended periods of time and frequently move the position of your hip joint. Your therapist will also ask you to perform stretching exercises, such as hip flexor stretches, adductor stretches and hamstring stretches, and strengthening exercises, such as hip extensions, hip adductions and hip abductions.
Returning Home
Before you leave the hospital, your physical therapist will also teach you how to perform a series of home exercises that will help you continue your recovery. Typically, you will need to keep performing these exercises on a long-term basis to maintain proper function in your residual limb. In addition, your therapist will make sure you can maneuver your body properly in a home environment and help you prepare for any specific movements required in your workplace. Ask your doctor, surgeon and physical therapist for more information on the rehabilitation requirements for an above-the-knee amputation.
