|
Quad Sets - Tighten your thigh muscle. Try
to straighten your knee. Hold for 5 to 10 seconds.
Repeat this exercise approximately 10 times during a
two minute period, rest one minute and repeat.
Continue until your thigh feels fatigued.
|
Straight Leg Raises
- Tighten the thigh muscle with your knee
fully
straightened on the bed, as with the Quad
set. Lift your leg several inches. Hold
for five to 10 seconds. Slowly lower. Repeat
until your thigh feels fatigued.
You also can do leg raises while sitting.
Fully tighten your thigh muscle and
hold your knee fully straightened with your
leg unsupported. Repeat as above.
Continue these exercises periodically until
full strength returns to your thigh.
|
|
Ankle Pumps -
Move your foot up and down rhythmically by
contracting the
calf and shin muscles. Perform this exercise
periodically for two to three minutes,
two or three times an hour in the recovery
room. Continue this exercise until you
are fully recovered and all ankle and
lower-leg swelling has subsided.
|
|
Knee Straightening
Exercises - Place a small rolled
towel just above your
heel so that it is not touching the bed.
Tighten your thigh. Try to fully straighten
your knee and to touch the back of your knee
to the bed. Hold fully straightened
for five to 10 seconds. Repeat until your
thigh feels fatigued. |
|
Bed-Supported Knee
Bends - Bend your knee as much as
possible while sliding
your foot on the bed. Hold your knee in a
maximally bent position for 5 to 10 seconds
and then straighten. Repeat several times
until your leg feels fatigued or until you
can
completely bend your knee.
|
|
Sitting Supported
Knee Bends - While sitting at
bedside or in a chair with
your thigh supported, place your foot behind
the heel of your operated knee for
support. Slowly bend your knee as far as you
can. Hold your knee in this position for
5 to 10 seconds. Repeat several times until
your leg feels fatigued or until you can
completely bend your knee.
|
|
Sitting Unsupported
Knee Bends - While sitting at
bedside or in a chair
with your thigh supported, bend your knee as
far as you can until your foot rests
on the floor. With your foot lightly resting
on the floor, slide your upper body
forward in the chair to increase your knee
bend. Hold for 5 to 10 seconds.
Straighten your knee fully. Repeat several
times until your leg feels fatigued or
until you can completely bend your knee.
|
|
