| Knee Replacement Exercises - Pre & Post Operation | | | | shuttle. |
| Knee Exercises | | | | Post Operation Knee Replacement Exercises |
| There is a lot you can do to prepare for and ensure | | | | Immediately post operation, you will be given an |
| a successful knee replacement surgery. Prior to | | | | exercise program by a physiotherapist and |
| surgery, there are excellent exercises that you can | | | | supervised to ensure successful healing and return to |
| do to maintain your range of motion and build | | | | daily activities. This may last up to eight weeks and it |
| strength. One of the main symptoms of | | | | is imperative to continue your exercise program after |
| osteoarthritis is the decrease in range of motion in a | | | | you are released from physiotherapy supervision. |
| joint. In the knee joint, you will either experience a | | | | Patients who continue with progressive, consistent |
| reduction in range of extension, the ability of the | | | | exercises for a year post operation, gain amazing |
| knee to straighten, or flexion, the ability of the knee | | | | results in functional ability way beyond what they had |
| to flex or bend. Once you know where your | | | | at the three and six month mark. Your post |
| limitation of range is, you can select specific exercises | | | | operation exercise program will continue to include |
| to target maintaining range of motion. | | | | the range of motion exercises and stretches you |
| The reason addressing this range of motion is so | | | | need to target either knee flexion or extension. |
| important is because it affects your ability to do daily | | | | Also, you will be advanced through a series of |
| functional tasks such as walking, going up and down | | | | incremental leg strength exercises that will move you |
| stairs, driving, and standing. If your knee is unable to | | | | from isolated muscle contractions to dynamic, |
| perform at its regular function, then other joints and | | | | functional strength exercises. The post operation |
| muscles will unnaturally assist in executing movements | | | | exercise program includes gait, balance, and agility |
| which can cause pain. There are simple, easy to | | | | training that will promote your safe, confident return |
| follow, quick exercises you can do at home that will | | | | to hobbies, sports, and daily life demands. In addition, |
| help you target optimal knee flexion and extension. | | | | once your swelling is gone, your range is good, and |
| Some of these exercises will include stretches and | | | | your strength improves, you can then gradually |
| some are strength exercises. | | | | increase your cardiovascular training as part of your |
| Strength Exercises | | | | post operation goals. |
| The most important muscle to strengthen prior to | | | | The Incredible Benefits of Exercise for Knee |
| knee replacement surgery, is undeniably the | | | | Replacement Candidates |
| quadriceps. When this muscle is strong, it acts as a | | | | Exercise improves many of the symptoms of arthritis |
| shock absorber and protects the knee by absorbing | | | | and can speed up recovery post knee replacement |
| some of the load placed upon the knee joint. | | | | surgery. Gentle non weight bearing range of motion |
| Unfortunately when the pain of arthritis progresses | | | | exercises lubricates the knee joint thereby reducing |
| at the knee joint, it spirals a chain reaction of events | | | | stiffness. By doing range of motion exercises that |
| that weakens the quadriceps. When you have pain in | | | | target where the joint is limited, either in flexion or |
| your knee, you unconsciously transfer more weight | | | | extension, an individual can improve their function in |
| on to the other leg which begins the weakening of | | | | daily tasks. Improving strength in the quadriceps |
| the quadriceps muscle. | | | | muscle supports the knee joint and protects the joint |
| In addition, when your body experiences pain in the | | | | by absorbing some of the load placed upon it. |
| knee joint, the lack of use and range of motion | | | | If you want to participate in the management of |
| creates a shortened, tight quadriceps muscle. Pre | | | | your osteoarthritis by doing exercises, you will not |
| operation quadriceps strengthening may need to be | | | | only improve your overall function, but you will also |
| non weight bearing depending on your level of pain. | | | | recover quicker post surgery. With a small |
| Also, you should select unilateral, or one leg, strength | | | | commitment of a handful of exercises done two to |
| exercises in order to strive for balance in strength | | | | three times a week, you can drastically improve how |
| across the limbs such as the one leg press on the | | | | you feel, what you can do, and your quality of life. |