Additional exercises
Do these exercises only if instructed by a therapist or your surgeon. You can track how often you do these exercises on the home exercise program additional exercises tracking sheet.
Sit on a bed so your feet will not touch the floor. Allow your knees to bend. Swing your surgical leg back-and-forth so that you feel a gentle rebounding sensation. Do this for 2 to 3 minutes.
Side leg lifts (abduction/adduction)
Lie on your non-surgical side with a pillow between your legs. Lift your surgical leg straight up to the side. Hold for _______seconds. Slowly lower your leg down and relax. Repeat _______ times.
Lie on your stomach with a rolled-up hand towel under your thigh, just above the knee of your surgical leg. Slowly lower your leg toward the floor letting your foot hang over the edge of the surface. Do not lift your hip. Hold for _______ seconds. Repeat _______ times.
Prone knee flexion
Lie on your stomach with a rolled-up hand towel under your surgical thigh. Bend your knee back as far as possible. Hold for _______ seconds. Return to the starting position and relax. Repeat _______ times.
Prone hip extension
Lie on your stomach with a pillow under your hips. Keep your surgical leg straight and lift it toward the ceiling. Hold for _______ seconds. Slowly lower your leg down and relax. Repeat _______ times.
Standing knee exercises
Stand next to a kitchen counter or table, and hold on securely. Stand up straight during these exercises. Work up to holding for 5 seconds.
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Calf stretch
Stand facing a wall. Put the leg you want to stretch behind you. Keep your toes pointed forward and your heel on the floor. Lean forward until you feel a stretch in the back of your back leg. Keep your back leg straight. Hold for _______ seconds. Repeat _______ times.
Step stretch
Place the foot of your surgical leg one to two steps above and lean into your surgical knee, keeping your upper body straight by holding onto railings. Hold for _________ seconds. Repeat _________ times.
Knee step up
Step up with your surgical leg, then step back down. Repeat _________ times.
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