Knee replacement surgery requires body preparation for effective leg function after the knee is placed and to help the muscles heal thoroughly after the surgery. The doctors recommend exercises like quad sets, straight leg raises, side-lying leg raises and many other exercises. These exercises strengthen the muscles connected to the knee so that they can support joint movement and reduce muscle loss. After undergoing knee replacement surgery, the exercises help the individual adapt to the replacement and gain mobility faster. This blog offers a number of exercises that you can do before knee replacement surgery.
The exercises to do before knee replacement surgery
Quad set
This exercise focuses on the lower body, targeting the front muscle of the thigh. The muscle tightens to strengthen the knee.
- Lie down or sit down straight on a firm, flat surface, on a mat
- If needed for more comfort, place a small rolled towel under the knee
- Focus on squeezing the front of your thigh muscle
- Push the back of the knee down into the floor or towel
- Glide up toward your knee whilst watching your kneecap
- Hold and squeeze the muscle for around 5 to 10 seconds and then relax it for 10 seconds.
Straight leg raises
It is a physical leg therapy that focuses on strengthening the quadriceps without bending the knee joint.
- The first thing to do is lie down on a flat, soft surface like a mat.
- One knee should be bent with the foot anchored flat to the surface whilst the other leg lies straight on the floor.
- The straight leg should be tightened and then raised up straight about 6 to 12 inches off the ground, and hold the position for around 3 to 5 seconds.
- You can now drop the raised leg slowly to the ground and then relax it.
- Repeat the exercise for at least 8 to 12 times per leg.
Side-lying leg raises
This simple physical exercise focuses on the glutes and the hips, which strengthens the lower body to give it stability.
- Ensure you lie down on a soft surface like a mat. Lie on your side in a straight line whilst stacking the feet and legs together.
- For better balance, lay the head on the lower arm and the top arm can be laid down or on the hip.
- When well positioned, raise the top leg toward the ceiling whilst keeping the core engaged and lay it back down on top of the other leg.
- You can repeat this exercise for 10 to 15 positions.
Clam shells
This exercise strengthens the hip muscles and the glutes. It is a side-lying moving exercise.
- Lie down on your side whilst resting your head on your lower arm.
- The knees should be bent at a 45-degree angle, and the hips stacked on top of each other.
- The heels should be held together, and you should maintain the position whilst raising the knees as high as possible, then pause the position for a few seconds.
- You can repeat the same exercise for 10 to 20 times.
Conclusion
Preparing the body through exercise strengthens the muscles, which makes it easier for the joints to adapt to the knee replacement. One can regain mobility and conduct their daily activities faster. The knee replacement surgery is effective in providing the best results for people struggling with permanent knee damage or knee disorders; it offers accurate results in how the artificial knee collaborates with the muscles and eliminates pain. The journey to experiencing a healthy, strong knee starts with booking an appointment with Dr. Rajinder Singh and his team at Kalyan Hospital. We offer patient-centred knee replacement surgery to attain accurate results.
- When is the best time to start the pre-op exercises?
The recommended time to start pre- surgical rehabilitation is 4 or 6 weeks before surgery so that the body has enough time to build muscle strength.
- Can I still be able to resume doing the exercises after the surgery?
A patient can resume exercises with the approval of the doctor. Patients undergo gentle physical therapy for the body to adapt to the replaced knee and for restoration of mobility.
