Knee replacement therapy involves an arduous, time-consuming rehabilitative process that involves a variety of exercises that concentrate on strengthening and stretching knee muscles. Choosing the correct type of exercise bike will increase your exercise efficiency and lessen your risks of potential injury. Check with your doctor before using any exercise bike during your knee replacement recuperation, since your medical condition may not benefit from using exercise bikes.
Adjustable Tension
Recommended types of exercise bikes for knee replacement therapy need to include adjustable tension levels in order to properly strengthen and stretch your new knee. Tension levels start at zero and gradually increase as your therapy progresses. Set the tension at zero while riding the exercise bike during the initial stages of therapy, according to the University of California. Plan on increasing tension levels, normally around the fourth to six week post-op period, as your therapy progresses and your knee becomes stronger and more flexible.
Adjustable Seat Height
Any recommended type of exercise bike needs to contain multiple adjustment points for seat height. Position the seat at the highest level possible when first starting your knee replacement therapy, notes the University of California. Use the bike as a motion machine during the first two weeks post-op, meaning your healthy leg will do the majority of work while your surgical leg goes along for the ride. This is due to the fact your surgical leg will not be strong or flexible enough to propel the pedaling on its own. As your therapy progresses and your knee flexibility increases, lower the seat to increase the efficiency and intensity of your surgical leg workout.
Pedaling Options
Recommended types of exercise bikes for knee replacement therapy need to allow pedaling versatility. When purchasing an exercise bike, make certain it can pedal both forward and backward with ease. Initial stages of therapy involve pedaling backward, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Pedaling backward gets your surgical knee used to moving and prepares your new knee for more advanced rehabilitative exercises while strengthening and stretching your leg muscles. Plan on pedaling backward until your new knee completes the entire pedaling motion effortlessly and comfortably. When pedaling backward does not challenge you, start pedaling forward.
Timer
Any recommended type of exercise bike for knee replacement therapy must include a timer. Timers play a key role in reducing your risks of overdoing it and causing further injury while also progressing your therapy at a steady pace. During initial recuperation stages, setting the timer at a low duration, such as two minutes, helps get your knee and body used to riding the exercise bike. Gradually increase your time in two-minute increments until you reach the goal of riding for 10 minutes, twice daily, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
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