Exercises to Aid Recovery After Knee Replacement
Rim Qasim After knee or hip replacement surgery, should you walk, ride a bicycle, or strengthen your leg muscles? Movement is an integral part of recovery, but not all exercises should be practiced at the same time. You must follow the surgeon’s and physical therapist’s instructions, especially in the first few weeks. Below are some commonly used exercises recommended by experts, according to a report published by the website Passportsante, to gradually regain mobility, strength, and independence:
01 Walking, starting with short distances
Walking is one of the key pillars of recovery. It allows you to gradually relearn how to bear weight on your operated leg while regaining smooth movement. Initially, you may need assistance such as crutches or a walker, and it is better to take several short walking sessions rather than one long, exhausting one.
02 Quadriceps setting
After knee replacement surgery specifically, it is important to activate the quadriceps muscles quickly. Lie down or sit, then tighten your thigh muscles and try to straighten your knee, then relax. This simple exercise can be started very early in rehabilitation.
03 Gentle knee movement
After knee joint replacement, gradually regaining the range of motion (flexion and extension) is a primary goal. Knee movement exercises should be adapted to the stage of recovery and the patient’s tolerance, as the aim is not to force the knee to regain its range of motion quickly, but to restore its fitness without causing harm.
04 Gluteal muscle strengthening
After hip joint replacement, the muscles surrounding the hip contribute to its stability and walking quality. Therefore, appropriate exercises involving gluteal and hip muscle contractions, followed by gradual strengthening, can be integrated into the rehabilitation program.
05 Calf and ankle strengthening
Ankle flexion and extension exercises, followed by toe raises when sufficient support is available, gradually activate the calf muscles and also help improve balance and walking.
06 Gradual return to cycling
When recovery, mobility, and medical instructions allow, a stationary bicycle can be beneficial. It allows the legs to move and endurance to develop gradually without repetitive strain. However, the timing for resuming cycling must be approved by the supervising healthcare team.
◄ Important advice
After hip replacement surgery, the best exercise is not necessarily the most difficult. According to physical therapist Agatha Thine, the priority is to gradually regain safe walking, good mobility, and sufficient strength for daily activities. Exercises should evolve as the recovery process progresses. Therefore, individual instructions from the surgeon and physical therapist always take precedence over any general program found online.
