What Type Of Therapy Is Needed After Knee Replacement Surgery?

Your knee has been paining you for years. Not only that, but it has restricted your mobility. You not only can’t play the sports that you enjoy or exercise the way you used to, but it’s getting to the point where you need help just to get around. Conservative therapies such as corticosteroid shots and painkillers aren’t working the way they should. You are right at the edge of considering knee replacement surgery. Besides the surgery and its immediate aftermath, you’ll need to know what sort of physical therapy you’ll have. The following are some physiotherapy exercises you may perform after knee replacement surgery:

Straight Leg Raise
This exercise helps you to straighten your knee fully after the surgery. Sit on the floor with your legs stretched out in front of you. Tighten the quadriceps of one thigh to straighten your knee as much as you can.

Then, rotate the leg out to a 45 degree angle with your quadriceps still tight and your knee as straight as s possible. Then, while keeping your quadriceps tight and your leg rotated, lift it about 8 to 12 inches off the floor. Keep your knee straight. Pause, then slowly lower your leg to the floor. Repeat with the other leg.

Clams
This exercise strengthens your hip flexors and your gluteal muscles, which will help stabilize your knee as well as your abdominal muscles and pelvis.

Lie on your right side. Bend slightly at your hips and knees. Extend your right arm until it is in line with your body, and lay your head on it. Bend your left arm, and rest your left hand on the floor just in front of you. Then, while keeping your neck straight, your hips and shoulders in a straight line and your feet touching, lift the knee of your left leg, and rotate it at your hip. You’ll need to engage your core muscles to do this properly.

Lift your knee as far as it can go while keeping your hips in a straight line. Then, slowly lower your knee to the start position, and do as many reps as your physiotherapist advises. Then, turn over to your other side and repeat.

Single Leg Stand
This will help you develop your balance, coordination and proprioception. Proprioception are the signals that come from your joints, tendons, ligaments and muscles that let you know the position and direction of your joints and the pressure caused by your movements.

This exercise is simple. Stand straight and tall, and look straight ahead. Focus on one point. Then, stand on one leg. Focus on tightening the muscles in your buttocks, your hamstrings and your quadriceps of your standing leg all at the same time. When you can do this exercise confidently on the floor, try it on a wobble board to make it more challenging.

Wondering About Post Knee-Replacement Physiotherapy?
If you are wondering what types of therapy you may need after your surgery, contact the staff at Plano Orthopedic Sports Medicine & Spine Center. The doctors there specialize in different areas of the body, including the feet, the neck, the spine, the back and the knee. Call for a consultation at 972-250-5700.