OrthocareRN Rehabilitation, Physicial Therapy

Post-operative Exercises & Post operative Hip exercises

Total Knee Exercises:

Sit Your Way To Increased Knee Flexion
There are many exercises to increase range of motion after total knee
replacement surgery. It is important to listen to your own body and
physician to decide when it is most appropriate to begin these exercises.
Below is just one example of a way to increase knee flexion.

1) Sit upright on a chair. (make sure the chair is not too low. your hips
should be higher than your knees)
2) Take your non operated leg and cross it gently over the ankle of the
operated leg.
3) Slowly and smoothly begin bending your operated knee while remaining in
the seated position.
4) Assist as needed by posteriorly pushing your non operated leg against the
operated leg's ankle.
5) Stop when resistance or discomfort is felt.
6) Hold for 10 seconds.
7) Repeat 5 more times.

Total Hip Exercises This information can be obtained from:
http://physicaltherapy.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=physical
therapy&zu=http%3A%2F%2Forthoinfo.aaos.org%2Fbooklet%2Fview_report.cfm%3FThr
ead_ID%3D20%26topcategory%3DHip

Total Hip Replacement Exercise Guide
Regular exercises to restore your normal hip motion and strength and a
gradual return to everyday activities are important for your full recovery.
Your orthopaedic surgeon and physical therapist may recommend that you
exercise 20 to 30 minutes 2 or 3 times a day during your early recovery.
They may suggest some of the following exercises. This can help you better
understand your exercise and activity program.

Early Postoperative Exercises
These exercises are important for increasing circulation to your legs and
feet to prevent blood clots. They also are important to strengthen muscles
and to improve your hip movement. You may begin these exercises in the
recovery room shortly after surgery. It may feel uncomfortable at first but
these exercises will speed your recovery and reduce your postoperative pain.
These exercises should be done as you lie on your back with your legs spread
slightly apart.

Ankle Pumps - Slowly push your foot up and down. Do this exercise several
times as often as every 5 or 10 minutes. This exercise can begin immediately
after surgery and continue until you are fully recovered.

Ankle Rotations - Move your ankle inward toward your other foot and then
outward away from your other foot. Repeat 5 times in each direction 3 or 4
times a day.

Repeat the following three exercises 10 times 3 or 4 times a day

Bed-Supported Knee Bends - Slide your heel toward your buttocks, bending
your knee and keeping your heel on the bed. Do not let your knee roll
inward.

Buttock Contractions - Tighten buttock muscles and hold to
a count of 5.

Abduction Exercise - Slide your leg out to the side as far as you can and then back.

Quad Set - Tighten your thigh muscle. Try to straighten your knee. Hold for
5 to 10 seconds. Repeat this exercise 10 times during a 10-minute period.
Continue until your thigh feels fatigued.

Straight Leg Raises - Tighten your thigh muscle with your knee fully
straightened on the bed. As your thigh muscle tightens, lift your leg
several inches off the bed. Hold for 5 to 10 seconds. Slowly lower.
Repeat until your thigh feels fatigued.

Standing Exercises - Soon after your surgery, you will be out of bed and
able to stand. You will require help since you may become dizzy the first
several times you stand. As you regain your strength, you will be able to
stand independently. While doing these standing exercises, make sure you
are holding on to a firm surface such as a bar attached to your bed or a wall.

Repeat the following exercises 10 times 3 or 4 times a day

Standing Knee Raises - Lift your operated leg toward your chest. Do not lift
your knee higher than your waist. Hold for 2 or 3 counts and put your leg
down.

Standing Hip Abduction - Be sure your hip, knee and foot are pointing
straight forward. Keep your body straight. With your knee straight, lift
your leg out to the side. Slowly lower your leg so your foot is back on the floor.

Standing Hip Extensions - Lift your operated leg backward slowly. Try to
keep your back straight. Hold for 2 or 3 counts. Return your foot to the
floor.


Walking and Early Activity
Soon after surgery, you will begin to walk short distances in your hospital
room and perform light everyday activities. This early activity helps your
recovery by helping your hip muscles regain strength and movement.

Walking with Walker & Full Weight Bearing - Stand comfortably and erect
with your weight evenly balanced on your walker or crutches. Move your
walker or crutches forward a short distance. Then move forward, lifting your
operated leg so that the heel of your foot will touch the floor first. As
you move, your knee and ankle will bend and your entire foot will rest
evenly on the floor. As you complete the step allow your toe to lift off the floor.
Move the walker again and your knee and hip will again reach forward
for your next step. Remember, touch your heel first, then flatten your foot,
then lift your toes off the floor. Try to walk as smoothly as you can.
Don't hurry. As your muscle strength and endurance improve, you may
spend more time walking. Gradually, you will put more and more weight on
your leg.

Walking with Cane or Crutch - A walker is often used for the first several
weeks to help your balance and to avoid falls. A cane or a crutch is then
used for several more weeks until your full strength and balance skills have
returned. Use the cane or crutch in the hand opposite the operated hip. You
are ready to use a cane or single crutch when you can stand and balance
without your walker, when your weight is placed fully on both feet, and when
you are no longer leaning on your hands while using your walker.

Stair Climbing and Descending - The ability to go up and down stairs
requires both flexibility and strength. At first, you will need a handrail for
support and you will only be able to go one step at a time. Always lead up
the stairs with your good leg and down the stairs with your operated leg.
Remember "up with the good" and "down with the bad." You may want to
have someone help you until you have regained most of your strength
and mobility. Stair climbing is an excellent strengthening and endurance
activity. Do not try to climb steps higher than those of the standard height
of seven inches and always use the handrail for balance.

Advanced Exercises and Activities
A full recovery will take many months. The pain from your problem hip before
your surgery and the pain and swelling after surgery have weakened your hip
muscles. The following exercises and activities will help your hip muscles
recover fully. These exercises should be done in 10 repetitions four times a
day with one end of the tubing around the ankle of your operated leg and the
opposite end of the tubing attached to a stationary object such as a locked
door or heavy furniture. Hold on to a chair or bar for balance.

Elastic Tube Exercises

Resistive Hip Flexion - Stand with your feet slightly apart. Bring your
operated leg forward keeping the knee straight. Allow your leg to return
to its previous position.

Resistive Hip Abduction -Stand sideways from the door and extend your
operated leg out to the side. Allow your leg to return to its previous
position.

Resistive Hip Extensions - Face the door or heavy object to which the tubing
is attached and pull your leg straight back. Allow your leg to return to its
previous position.

Exercycling - Exercycling is an excellent activity to help you regain muscle
strength and hip mobility. Adjust the seat height so that the bottom of your
foot just touches the pedal with your knee almost straight. Pedal backwards
at first. Pedal forward only after comfortable cycling motion is possible
backwards. As you become stronger (at about 4 to 6 weeks) slowly increase
the tension on the exercycle. Exercycle forward 10 to 15 minutes twice a
day, gradually building up to 20 to 30 minutes 3 to 4 times a week.

Walking - Take a cane with you until you have regained your balance skills.
In the beginning, walk 5 or 10 minutes 3 or 4 times a day. As your strength
and endurance improves, you can walk for 20 or 30 minutes 2 or 3 times a
day. Once you have fully recovered, regular walks, 20 or 30 minutes 3 or 4
times a week, will help maintain your strength.