Begin pre-operative exercises
You may be given a prescription for a physical therapy evaluation before surgery. The physical therapist will teach you exercises you can do at home to begin strengthening your legs.
NOTE: Reference to the "operated leg" refers to the joint that is causing you discomfort.
Click each video for a demonstration of the exercise.
Ankle Pumps Transcript is below
While lying on your back with knees straight, pump your ankles up and down. Repeat 30 times.
Quad Sets (with towel) Transcript is below
Lie on your back with your knees straight and your heels supported on a towel roll. Press the back of your knee down onto the bed by tightening the muscle on the front of your thigh.
Hold for five seconds, relax.
Repeat ten times.
Gluteal Sets Transcript is below
Lie on your back and squeeze your buttocks muscles together. Hold for five seconds. Relax. Repeat 10 times.
Straight Leg Raising Transcript is below
Lie on your back with your non-operated knee bent, so your foot is flat on the bed. Tighten the muscle on the front of your thigh and straighten the knee fully on the operated side. Keeping your knee straight, lift the operated leg several inches off the surface of the bed.
Hold for 3 to 5 seconds and slowly lower the leg back down.
Repeat 10 times.
Heel Slides Transcript is below
Lie on your back with your knees straight. Slide the heel of your operated leg along the bed toward your buttocks as far as you can.
Repeat 10 times.
Short Arc Quads Transcript is below
Lie on your back with a rolled blanket or towel roll placed under your knee. Tighten the muscle on the front of the thigh and straighten your knee.
Hold three to five seconds.
Repeat ten times.
Long Arc Quads Transcript is below
Sit with your feet on the floor. Straighten the knee of the operated leg as far as you can.
Hold three to five seconds.
Repeat ten times.