KNEE REPLACEMENT EXERCISE GUIDE

You will be encouraged to start walking while in the recovery room. Early resumption of weight-bearing and walking helps you speed up your recovery and return to routine activities of daily living.

• Walking: Initially, you may have to use a walker or a pair of crutches to walk so you can control the amount of weight placed on the knee. From a standing position, with your weight evenly balanced, advance the walker or crutches a small distance and move the operated leg forward by lifting the toes of the ground first and bending the knee and hip joint to lift the foot. When placing the operated leg on the ground, touch your heel first, then flatten the foot. As your muscles become stronger, you can use a walking cane in your opposite hand to assist with walking, and finally, walk without using any aids.
• Stair Climbing: Initially, use the handrail for balance and support when going up and down the stairs. Lead with the unoperated knee when going up the stairs and with a cane and the operated knee when going down the stairs. The stairs should be no higher than 7 inches (standard height) when you start stair climbing after knee replacement. This is an excellent activity to improve endurance and strength.

Full recovery after knee replacement may take a few months. The following exercises help maximize knee function and mobility:

• Standing Knee Bend Exercise: Stand erect with the support of a walker or crutches and lift your operated leg up while bending at the knee as much as possible. Hold the position for 10 seconds and put the leg down again. Do about 3-4 sets of 10 repetitions of this exercise 2-3 times a day.
• Resistance Exercises for the Knee: About 4-6 weeks after the surgery, you may be strong enough to use wrap-around ankle weights weighing no more than 1-2 pounds and perform any of the above exercises. You can gradually increase the weight as you make strength and endurance gains.
• Stationary Bike: This is an excellent low-impact activity to improve knee function. Adjust the seat height so that your foot just touches the pedal with the knee fully extended. Pedal backward initially, and once you have achieved a comfortable backward cycling motion, start pedaling forwards. Build up your endurance to 20 minutes 3 times a week.

You may have temporary discomfort and swelling after exercise, but this should improve with foot elevation and the application of ice wrapped in a towel to the knee. Contact your doctor or physical therapist for persistent or worsening symptoms.