Physical Therapy Exercises for the Knee After Surgery

Physical therapy exercises are an important and imperative aspect of rehabilitation for the knee after surgery. In the period after the surgical procedure, the recuperating patient would have to start such exercises under the guidance of a professional. Whenever muscles are unused, they tend to become weak and do not properly perform their function of moving and supporting the body. The patient may have not used his leg muscles much because of the knee problem, thereby causing the weakness. By performing the recommended exercises, strength can be restored.

Objectives of Post-surgical Rehabilitation

The muscles most affected by the surgical procedure are the quadriceps muscles (vastus intermedius, vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, and vastus medialis). Physical therapy rehabilitation following surgery of the knee is carried out to achieve certain objectives:

• Independence in walking and getting up and down the stairs

• Getting the knee back to the suitable range of motion because the muscles and tendons might have become stiff due to limited movement during and after the procedure

• Protecting against further injury

• Re-establishing strength in the joints so that the patient would be able to support his weight for the customary everyday tasks

A supervised and regular exercise program would help to achieve these objectives. People of different age groups can benefit from such a program.

Physical Therapy Exercises Adopted after Knee Surgery

Stretching - Fundamental stretching movements would help to relax the front portion of the leg and also to enhance general lower extremity flexibility.

Isometric Strengthening - This helps to develop strength by the contracting of muscles in such a way that there is no flexing of the knee. The patient may be able to improve and feel the force of the contractions for a deconditioned or weak muscle.

Quadriceps Strengthening - The quadriceps are a group of four muscles in front of the thigh. These muscles should be in a good condition to effectively perform their function of moving and strengthening the knee.

Isotonic Exercises - These movements effect alterations in muscle length and are normally done to achieve stability and strength. Effective movements of this kind would be targeted at building the hamstrings and the quadriceps. These are the muscles that enable extension and flexion of the knee.

There are limitations in trying to perform physical therapy exercises for the knee following surgery at home. So, it is better to go to a center specializing in this area and get help from the specialists. Ask about the various medical insurance plans that the center supports.