The key to a good result after knee surgery is exercise. If you are searching for knee exercises after knee replacement, remember that more is not better, the right exercise at the right time is more useful. Always follow the plan given by your orthopedic surgeon in Indore and your physiotherapist.
Initial exercises (first weeks)
- Ankle Pumps: Move your foot up and down to help promote circulation.
- Quad sets: Tighten the thigh muscle, keeping the leg straight, and hold for a few seconds.
- Heel slides: Bend the knee by sliding the heel toward your buttock slowly.
- Straight leg raises: Lift the straightened leg a little way to build strength.
- Knee extension: Rest the heel on a support and allow the knee to relax into an extension.
Exercises in between
- Seated knee bending and straightening
- Short arc exercises with towel roll
- Mini-marching and standing weight shifts
- If allowed, low-resistance stationary cycling
More reinforcement
- Gentle step-ups from a low step
- Wall slides within a safe distance
- Supported balance exercises
- Walking on flat ground, slowly increasing distance.
Some tips make exercising safer. Get your blood flowing with a few minutes of gentle movement, apply ice to reduce swelling afterward, and exercise at the same time each day. Some discomfort is normal, but sharp pain, increased redness or swelling is not.
Don’t compare your progress to anyone else’s. Some people get back to moving quickly; some take longer. Speed is not as important as consistency.
If your knee feels very stiff or weak, tell your orthopedic surgeon in indore early so that the plan can be changed. With regular practice, most patients can regain stable and comfortable movement for activities of daily living.
