Your home exercise program will include activities to help reduce swelling and increase your knee motion and strength. Knee replacement, or knee arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure to replace the weightbearing surfaces of the knee joint to relieve pain and disability. A knee replacement is surgery to remove a damaged knee joint and replace it with an artificial joint. What exercises can i do after knee replacement surgery. Hold for 10 seconds or as tolerated, and gently release. You can also perform strengthening exercises to make your knees stronger and reduce progression of oa in the knees. Exercise guide for knee replacement surgery vancouver. Sit in a chair with a towel under the operated knee. Ice and elevate above the level of the heart regularly throughout the day and night can use the ice machine or other icing agents 15 20 minutes every other hour, with a pillow case or other thin barrier between skin and ice pack to avoid skin irritation immediately postop with gauze dressing still on. Feel the stretch down the side of the leg and trunk. Jul 21, 2015 after knee replacement surgery it is important to regain range of motion and strength. Recommended knee exercises daily walking, swimming and cycling on an exercise bike are beneficial for the knee. Skin needs to slide in order to have optimal flexion range.
Press the back of your knee into the towel and hold for 510 seconds. What can i expect from a total knee replacement surgery. After a knee replacement, you can get up and about very quickly. Total knee replacement surgery is the best treatment for arthritis when all conservative treatments have failed. Postoperation total knee replacement exercises youtube. Knee straightening exercises place a small rolled towel just above your heel so that it is not touching the bed. It is most commonly performed for osteoarthritis, and also for other knee diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and.
After many forms of knee surgery, including acl or meniscus repair, total knee replacement or arthroscopic knee surgery, postoperative exercises are requiredsome just hours after surgery. Total knee replacement home exercise program phase i, page 3 x16588 122019 aahc total knee replacement. Assume a sitting position in a chair with involved knee bent as able under chair. Pt recommended at least one month prior to surgery for pre surgical exercises to strengthen both the involved and uninvolved limb, postop surgical exercises, transfer techniques, and ambulation with assistive device. Total knee replacement preop exercises straight leg raises lie on your back with one leg bent and the other leg straight, raise your straight leg off bed 1012 inches.
In fact, my first job was working on patients that had total knee and total hip replacements and even then, it was coming a long way in terms of the protocol and the technology involved. However if you are looking for something more challenging, visit the advanced exercises section. Total knee replacement post op exercises typical total knee post operative exercises please note that these exercises are for example only and any exercises you want to do should be prescribed by your physician andor your physical therapist. Aug 01, 2019 a knee replacement is surgery to remove a damaged knee joint and replace it with an artificial joint. See more ideas about home exercise program, knee replacement surgery and total knee replacement exercises. Total knee replacement home exercise program phase i. Knee replacement exercise booklet weight bearing as. Make sure that your patient has a follow up appointment for a wound check. Recovering from a partial or total knee replacement and returning to a more active lifestyle will take time. Nov 28, 2017 after the first total knee replacement in 1971, approximately 4. Taking an active role can help you achieve a more relaxed and positive attitude.
The ultimate home exercise program after a total knee replacement. Total knee replacement protocols 6 weeks and beyond. The following exercises are to be performed 10x each, at least 2x daily 1x in the morning, 1x in the afternoon. Post operative instructions for total knee replacements. Here you will find six of the best leg exercises for increase strength. Knee replacement postop exercise booklet saskatchewan.
Suggested exercises treatment knee rom as needed manual therapy as needed, with appropriate magnitude based on healing status. If you have increased pain or swelling after exercise put ice or cold gel pack on your knee for 1015 minutes. Remember to ice your knee 20 minutes before and after therapy sessions or performing exercises. Surgery is just one part of the treatment for knee arthritis what you do before and afterwards will have a big impact on your recovery. After all, theres a good chance excessive strain on your knee due to overuse.
You should notice an improvement after 34 weeks of doing these exercises, if you do them regularly. Be aware of all aspects of the operation, your environment, and the instructions that are given to you by doctors, nurses and specialists. To get the best results from your surgery, it is important that you do your exercises consistently and correctly. I started working in the field a number of years ago. Regular exercise to restore strength and mobility to your knee and a gradual return to everyday activities are important for your full recovery after knee replacement. Physical therapist jc sales, of ati physical therapy in woodridge, il, demonstrates four useful exercises that can help knee replacement patients begin their recovery after surgery. Designed by neej patel and samuel hwang, uqochsner clinical school, class of 2014 introduction the knee is the largest joint in your body, and a major surgery to replace it. Knee arthroscopy exercise guide regular exercise to restore strength and mobility to your knee is important for your full recovery after arthroscopic surgery. Regular exercises are necessary to restore your knee mobility and strength.
Heel slides lie on your back, bend your knee and slide your heel along bed toward your buttocks. Your orthopaedic surgeon and physical therapist may recommend. This will help you move easier and get back to doing the activities you enjoy. Total knee replacement home exercise program phase ii. Aug 06, 2015 keep up with your therapy and exercises with this instructional video from st. Knee replacement exercises guide knee pain explained. Also, obtain a copy of the operative report from the surgeon. This set of exercises can be done at home while lying in bed, sitting in a chair, and standing. Total knee arthroplasty is performed to provide pain relief, joint stability and a satisfactory range of motion.
Knee replacement exercise booklet weight bearing as tolerated. Total knee arthroplasty tka is the gold standard treatment for endstage knee osteoarthritis oa and the annual worldwide incidence of tka has steadily increased over the past decade. It is not intended to replace the advice of your health care provider. Ankle exercises point your feet up and down in a pumping motion.
The most common form of damage seen is osteoarthritis. Total knee replacement exercise guide orthoinfo aaos. It has been estimated that a minimum of 90 of range of motion in the knee is required for activities of daily living. Beginning 34 days after surgery, you may apply heat under the knee or to the thigh muscle well above the incision for 1015 minutes before you exercise.
Neural mobilization for tibial nerve may help improve flexion contracture. Total knee replacement postop exercises typical total knee postoperative exercises please note that these exercises are for example only and any exercises you want to do should be prescribed by your physician andor your physical therapist. After a knee replacement, it can be tempting to take it easy on the exercise front for a while. Exercises you do before knee replacement surgery can strengthen your knee, improve flexibility, and help you recover faster. Total knee replacement exercise booklet sunnybrook hospital. Your orthopaedic surgeon or physical therapist may recommend that you exercise for approximately 20 to 30 minutes, 2. Tighten the muscles on the front of your thigh and push the back of your knee down into the bed. If the orthopedic surgeon deems that the damage to your knee is extensive and requires a replacement, youll have a couple of things to take care of before proceeding. Exercises achieve full passive extension straighten out flat achieve full flexion bending of the knee may be limited by swelling. Additional exercises after knee replacement surgery. Hamstring stretch with hands behind knee, pull knee towards chest until a comfortable stretch is felt in hamstring. Postop knee exercise program orthopaedic specialty clinic. Your leg muscles may feel weak after knee replacement surgery because you did not use them much with your knee problems. If you are unable to straighten the knee beyond position a by two weeks call us and leave a message at 4169678526.
Postoperative exercises weeks 12 for total knee replacement. Exercises you can do after knee replacement surgery include. Exercise after knee replacement critical sciencedaily. This illustrated guide includes exercises and activities designed to restore muscle strength and mobility to your knee following total knee replacement. Outpatient rehabilitation guidelines for total knee arthroplasty. If your knee is very stiff and painful, check with your physiotherapist before icing. Nhf does not give medical advice or engage in the practice of medicine. During stage i, continue with rice rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Outpatient rehabilitation guidelines for total knee. Repeat 10 times every hour to help prevent blood clot formation and pump swelling away from the leg. Hold your knee in this position for 5 to 10 seconds. Dec 31, 2011 total knee replacement surgery is the best treatment for arthritis when all conservative treatments have failed. Your orthopaedic surgeon and physical therapist may recommend that you exercise for 20 to 30 minutes, 2 or 3 times a day and walk for 30 minutes, 2 or 3 times a day during your.
Contact your health care provider if you believe you have a health problem. Straighten your knee as far as possible and hold for five seconds. Strengthening the leg muscles is one of the best ways to reduce most causes of knee pain. An artificial knee, often referred to as a total knee replacement, is a structure made of metal and a special type of plastic that replaces a knee that has usually been severely damaged by arthritis. Knee arthritis tips and exercises kaiser permanente. Lie on your back with a towel roll under your knee. A total knee replacement is a surgical operation aiming to replace a wornout joint.
The ultimate home exercise program after a total knee. Post operative exercises weeks 12 for total knee replacement video of post operative exercises weeks 12 for total knee replacement brandon strouth, d. Total knee arthroplasty protocol brigham and womens hospital. Proposed rehab protocol for total knee replacement. Physiotherapy exercises following total knee replacement. Walking is a good exercise but is no substitute for your stretching and exercises. Straighten your knee by tightening your thigh muscles.
Ice your knee when it is hot and red, painful and after exercises. This program may be supervised by a physiotherapist initially or for several weeks, pending on your progress. Trinitas regional medical center is not liable for any injury or condition you may experience by. Your orthopaedic surgeon or physical therapist may recommend that you exercise for approximately 20 to 30 minutes, 2 or 3 times a day. Post operative exercises after total knee replacement surgery. Orthopedic surgeons are the doctors who perform total knee replacement surgery. Make sure you check with the surgeon before you start using any protocol. Attempt to straighten the knee as much as possible towards position b. It is important to be patient, to be an active participant in your exercise program, and to strictly follow the. Keep up with your therapy and exercises with this instructional video from st. Preparation for knee replacement surgery is mental and emotional. If you are having any problems with the exercises, please call sports medicine north at 9788186350. Please refer to the before during and after hip and knee replacement. If they feel too strenuous or your knee movement is quite restricted, try simpler exercises first.
Elevate your entire leg by placing pillows underneath the entire operated leg, not just under the knee. Try to fully straighten your knee and to touch the back of your knee to the bed. Knee exercises can be started straight away after a knee. It sounds logical that exercises to strengthen your knee should be a component of. In todays competitive markets, many companies and surgeons are advocating and pushing their own prosthesis, when it comes to hip. Knee arthroscopy exercise programme the following guide will help you to understand your postoperative exercise program. Learn about partial and total knee replacements and what to expect afterward. Position uninvolved foot in front and push back on involved leg to increase the bend. Exercise guide for knee replacement surgery vch patient health. Total knee replacement home exercise program phase ii, page 2 x16589 rev. Home exercise program for knee replacement patients my. Knee replacement exercises are a vital part of the recovery process to ensure you get the best results from your new knee. Quadriceps tense in longsitting, place a rolled towel under the affected knee.
Initiate gentle strengthening exercises with the primary goal of activating the quadriceps. Nhf under no circumstances recommends particular treatment for specific individuals and in all cases recommends that you consult. How to exercise after a hip or knee joint replacement. The goal of the following exercises is to regain range of motion while limiting pain and inflammation. Pt total knee replacement 2015 this material is provided for your general information only. Jun 29, 2011 this feature is not available right now. The intent of this physical therapy protocol is to provide the clinician with a guideline of the postoperative rehabilitation course of. Knee replacement surgery is a very common surgery now.