Total Knee Replacement Post-Op Exercises

Physical therapy after a total knee replacement is important for a speedy and full recovery. A physical therapy program includes specific exercises to help regain your range of motion and strength to help you return to your everyday daily activities. Your physical therapist will prescribe you exercises during your appointment but it is important to continue the exercises as instructed at home if needed.

The following exercises help strengthen your muscles and improve knee movement. Active assisted knee extension and flexion should be done under the supervision and advice of your physical therapist. 

Leg Raises

1. Lie on your back with your non-surgical leg bent. 
2. Tighten your knee on the recovering leg and slowly lift your leg to the level of the bent knee.
3. Keep your back flat on the surface.
4. Hold for 5 seconds, relax & repeat.

Ankle Pumps

1. Lie on your back.
2. Gently point and pull the ankle of your recovering leg by pumping your foot up and down.
3. Repeat 10 times (1 set).

Heel Slides

1. Lie on your back. 
2. Bend your recovering knee by sliding your heel toward your buttocks.
3. Repeat 10 times (1 set).

*You may be instructed to pull on a bed sheet hooked around your foot to help you slide your heel.*

Quad squeezes

1. Lie on your back with your recovering leg extended and your healthy leg bent at the knee.
2. Roll up a towel and place it under your new knee
3. Gently press the knee down into the towel roll
4. Hold for 5 seconds, relax & repeat.

*Contracting and releasing the muscle encourages blood flow and gets muscle fibers working.*

At Reddy Care Physical, Occupational & Aquatic Therapy, our patients receive a 4 phase approach to their plan of care to help improve their symptoms and restore their mobility. Physical therapists perform a thorough and detailed assessment to determine the quality of the pain, movements, and overall mobility levels after which therapeutic interventions are established to help achieve functional goals and improve mobility.

Phase 1: Pain Relief (Week 1 to 2)

Phase 2: Improving mobility and flexibility (Week 2 to 3)

Phase 3: Improving strength, stability & coordination (Week 3 to 4)

Phase 4: Functional endurance & aerobic conditioning (Week 4 to 5)

If you or a loved one feel you may benefit from total knee replacement post-op exercises, call our office today to learn more and schedule an appointment.

Great Neck: 475 Northern Blvd., Ste.11, Great Neck, NY 11021   Tel. (516) 829-0030

Farmingdale: 309 North West Dr., Farmingdale, NY 11735   Tel. (516) 420-2900

Woodbury: 150 Woodbury Rd., Woodbury, NY 11797   Tel. (516) 367-1111

Deer Park: 2024 Deer Park Ave., Deer Park, NY 11729   Tel. (631) 243-0247

North Shore Towers: 272-78 Grand Central Pkwy., Floral Park, NY 11005   Tel. (516) 344-0030

In-Home Physical & Occupational Therapy (Home Care): 516-829-0030 

*Home therapy servicing Long Island, Queens, Staten Island, Brooklyn, the Bronx & Manhattan*

Bayside - Aquatic Therapy: 208-32 Cross Island Pkwy., Bayside, NY11360  Tel. (718) 224-8480

Oceanside: 2421 S Long Beach Rd., Oceanside, NY 11572  Tel. (516) 992-2282

Sources: Orthoinfo

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Written by:

Dr. Vinod Somareddy, PT, DPT

President

Reddy Care Physical Therapy

Reddy Care Occupational Therapy

Reddy Care Aquatic Therapy

Author

Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy is an outstanding specialty service providing exceptional care and state-of-the-art treatments for the residents of Farmingdale and Great Neck, New York. The combination of innovative exercise programs, manual therapy, and technology together with the expertise of every member of the team enables Reddy Care Physical & Occupational Therapy to provide services that ensure superior clinical outcomes and consistently high patient satisfaction.