Post operative ambulatory exercises

Post operative ambulatory
exercises
Presented by
Monika Devi
Msc(N)
HCN, SRHU

Post –operative exercises
Regular exercise to restore the knee mobility, strength
and a gradual return to everyday activities are
important for the full recovery of post operative
patients.
orthopaedic surgeon and physical therapist may
recommend that exercise approximately 20 to 30
minutes two or three times a day and walk 30
minutes, two or three times a day during early
recovery.

Post –operative exercises
 orthopaedic surgeon may suggest some of the
following exercises.
 The following guide can help the patient to better
understand their exercise/activity program, supervised
by therapist and orthopaedic surgeon the health care
provider.

Early postoperative exercises
 Start these exercises as soon as the patient is able.
Patient can begin these in the recovery room shortly
after surgery. patient may feel uncomfortable at first,
but these exercises will speed the recovery and
actually diminish your postoperative pain.

Early postoperative exercises
1. Quadriceps Sets
Tighten the thigh muscle.
 Try to straighten the 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 the thigh feels fatigued

Straight Leg Raises
Tighten the thigh muscle
with your knee fully
straightened on the bed, as
with the Quad set.
Lift the leg several inches.
Hold for five to 10 seconds.
Slowly lower.
 Repeat until your thigh feels
fatigued. Patient also can do
leg raises while sitting.
• .

Ankle pumps
Move the 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 the heel so that
it is not touching the bed.
 Tighten your thigh.
Try to fully straighten the 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 the knee as much as possible while
sliding the foot on the bed.
Hold the knee in a maximally bent position for
5 to 10 seconds and then straighten.
Repeat several times until the leg feels
fatigued

Sitting supported knee bends
While sitting at bedside or in a
chair with the thigh supported,
place the foot behind the heel of
the operated knee for support.
Slowly bend the knee as far as
patient can. Hold the knee in this
position for 5 to 10 seconds.
Repeat several times until the leg
feels fatigued or until patient can
completely bend the knee. Sitting
Unsupported Knee Bends

Early activity
Soon after surgery, patient will begin to
walk short distances in the hospital room
and perform everyday activities.
 This early activity aids the recovery and
helps the patient’s knee regain its
strength and movement.
Proper walking is the best way to help
knee recover.
 At first, patient will walk with a walker or
crutches.

Early ativity
 Stand comfortably and erect with your
weight evenly balanced on the walker
or crutches.
 Advance the walker or crutches a short
distance; then reach forward with the
operated leg with the knee
straightened so the heel of the foot
touches the floor first.

Early activity
 As the patient move forward, the knee and
ankle will bend and the entire foot will rest
evenly on the floor.
As the patient complete the step, the toe will
lift off the floor and the knee and hip will
bend so that the patient can reach forward
for the next step.
 Remember, touch the heel first, then flatten
the foot, then lift the toes off the floor.

Early activity
Walk as rhythmically and smooth as they can.
 Don't hurry.
 Adjust the length of step and speed as necessary to walk
with an even pattern.
 As muscle strength and endurance improve, patient
may spend more time walking.

Early activity
 patient will gradually put
more weight on the leg.
 You may use a cane in the
hand opposite your surgery
and eventually walk without
an aid.

Stair climbing and descending
The ability to go up and
down stairs requires strength
and flexibility.
 At first, the patient will need
a handrail for support and
will be able to go only one
step at a time.
 Always lead up the stairs
with good knee and down
the stairs with operated
knee.
• .

Stair climbing and descending
 Remember, "up with the good" and
"down with the bad."
 Patient may want to have someone
help until they have regained most of
the strength and mobility.
 Stair climbing is an excellent
strengthening and endurance activity.
 Do not try to climb steps higher than
the standard height (7 inches) and
always use a handrail for balance.
 As you become stronger and more
mobile, you can begin to climb stairs
foot over foot.
.

Advanced exercises and activities
Once the patient have regained independence for short
distances and a few steps, they may increase their
activity.
The pain of the knee problems before surgery and the
pain and swelling after surgery have weakened the knee.
A full recovery will take many months.
The following exercises and activities will help the patient
to full recovery.

Standing knee bends
Standing erect with the aid of a
walker or crutches.
 lift the thigh and bend knee as
much as they can.
 Hold for 5 to 10 seconds.
 Then straighten the knee,
touching the floor with the heel
first.
Repeat several times until
fatigued.

Assisted knee bends
Lying on the back, place a
folded towel over the operated
knee and drop the towel to the
foot.
Bend the knee and apply
gentle pressure through the
towel to increase the bend.
Hold for 5 to 10 seconds;
repeat several times until
fatigued.
• .

Knee exercises with resistance
 patient can place light weights around the ankle and
repeat any of the above exercises.
 These resistance exercises usually can begin four to six
weeks after the surgery.
Use one- to two-pound weights at first; gradually
increase the weight as the strength returns.

exercycling
Exercycling is an excellent
activity to help the patient
regain muscle strength and
knee mobility.
 At first, adjust the seat height
so that the bottom of your
foot just touches the pedal
with your knee almost straight.
 Peddle backward at first.
• .

exercycling
Ride forward only after a
comfortable cycling motion is
possible backwards.
As he patient become stronger
(at about four to six weeks)
slowly increase the tension on
the exercycle.
 Exercycle for 10 to 15 minutes
twice a day, gradually build up
to 20 to 30 minutes, three or
four times a week.
• .

exercycling
Pain or Swelling after
Exercise You may experience
knee pain or swelling after
exercise or activity.
They can relieve this by
elevating leg and applying
ice wrapped in a towel.
 Exercise and activity should
consistently improve the
strength and mobility.

Post operative ambulatory exercises

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