| After having a knee replaced there are several | | | | hanging you lean forward getting your torso over |
| important aspects to getting the knee and entire leg | | | | your knee and slowly and gently press down on your |
| affected back into functional operation or fitness. | | | | leg above the knee with both hands. The downward |
| Your strength will come back rather quickly during | | | | pressure you produce should put a slow passive |
| rehabilitation with the operated leg, mobility generally | | | | stretch on your hamstring muscles. Hold this position |
| follows then your dynamic balance. | | | | for a slow count of 10. |
| Getting your full knee mobility back will take a | | | | 2. Sit at the end of a chair be sure not to get so far |
| concentrated effort on part. We have all heard about | | | | out however that you end up on the floor. Hold your |
| how important it is to get the knee to bend also | | | | affected leg out straight placing the heel on the floor. |
| known as knee flexion however, getting the knee to | | | | Again lean into the knee gently with both hands and |
| fully extend after the surgery can be difficult if not | | | | hold for a slow count of 10. many find this exercise |
| more so then getting it to bend. | | | | more effective then the one listed above. |
| Your knee depending on how long you have suffered | | | | 3. While sitting in a recliner with your leg up or, laying |
| with pain and swelling before surgery had started to | | | | down in bed be sure that there is an opening or |
| slowly develop what is known as a flexion | | | | space directly underneath your knee gently contract |
| contracture. In other words your hamstrings in back | | | | or tighten your thigh muscles as you tighten your |
| of the knee which bend the knee during walking | | | | thighs your hamstrings will relax causing them to |
| were tightening up due to the swelling and anatomical | | | | stretch. Hold this exercise also for a slow count of 10. |
| changes taking place in the knee joint itself. | | | | The exercises listed above are just a small sample of |
| If left unattended too they will develop a contracture | | | | many that can be done to get the required results. |
| which will not allow you to fully extend the knee | | | | What exercise or exercises you choose to do will |
| when walking and, you will develop what is known as | | | | depend on your overall physical condition and what |
| a swing-through gait. When our knees were in better | | | | exercises you feel are more effective. |
| shape or if you have never had a problem with | | | | By working diligently on getting your leg to fully |
| them, you were walking with a heel-toe gait which | | | | extend after the knee surgery will be just as |
| presents itself as as a smooth walking pattern. | | | | important if not more on establishing a smooth |
| Of course the best time to address this issue would | | | | functional gait or walking pattern in the months and |
| have been before surgery if you are aware of it as it | | | | years ahead. By having a good heel-toe gait you |
| does not take place overnight if not, then it will be | | | | have a smoother stride, less energy used to walk |
| addressed after the surgery in rehabilitation. | | | | with, less chance of a fall when you are moving your |
| There are a number of ways to address hamstring | | | | feet properly, and less hip and back pain which is |
| mobility however, I will touch on just a few that I | | | | possible if your gait mechanics are not sound. |
| use in the home health sector when working with my | | | | Give these exercises a try or consult with your |
| total knee replacement patients. | | | | orthopedic surgeon and physical therapist for more |
| 1. Seated Hamstring Stretch, place your affected leg | | | | details and information on the importance of strong |
| up onto a chair in front of you and place a small rolled | | | | and flexible hamstrings after surgery. |
| up towel underneath your ankle. With your leg | | | | |