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Muscle-Strengthening Exercises to Perform Before a Total Knee Replacement


Exercises you do before knee replacement surgery can strengthen your knee, improve flexibility, and help you recover faster.
There are numerous exercises you can do at home. But it’s important to speak to your surgeon and physical therapist before you start any new exercise regimen.
Jamie Nelson, PT, DPT, offers insights into how you can strengthen your muscles before surgery. Doing these exercises will allow rehab to go more quickly and effectively.
Begin with 5 to 10 repetitions of each exercise twice a day the first week, then increase to 10 to 15 repetitions by week two, and finally move up to 15 to 20 repetitions by week three.

This exercise helps build the quadriceps muscle that attaches to the knee.
  1. Lie on your back.
  2. Tighten the muscles in the front of your thigh by pushing the back of your knee down toward the floor or bed.
  3. Hold for 5 seconds and then release.
  4. Perform up to 3 sets of 5 to 20 repetitions.

This exercise is crucial in building your hip abductor muscles located in the side of the located  in the side of the buttocks. These muscles stabilize your pelvis while you are standing and walking.
  1. Lie on your side.
  2. Lift your leg straight up toward the ceiling to a distance of about 1 1/2 to 2 feet from your other leg.
  3. Lower your leg and repeat.
  4. Perform up to 3 sets of 10.
  5. Lie on your back and place your injured leg flat on the floor or bed while bending the other leg.
  6. Raise your straightened leg up about 12 inches and hold it there for 5 seconds.
  7. Slowly lower your leg.
  8. Perform up to 3 sets of 5 to 20 repetitions.

These leg raises will help build your quadriceps and hip flexor muscles. This is especially important for regaining strength after surgery.
  1. Lie on your back and bend your uninjured knee so your foot is flat on the floor.
  2. Tighten your injured thigh and lift your straight leg to the height of your opposite knee.
  3. Hold for 2 seconds at the top and slowly lower to the starting position.
  4. Perform up to 3 sets of 5-20 repetitions.

This works the hip external rotators and part of your abductors. Both are important for early ambulation and balance.
  1. Lie on your side with the injured knee pointed toward the ceiling.
  2. Keeping your heels together, open and close your legs like a clamshell.
  3. Perform up to 3 sets of 5 to 20 repetitions.

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