- veritasrehab@gmail.com
- Plot No, 31&32, Khanammet, Kondapur, Hyderabad - 500084
A Total Knee Replacement (TKR) is a huge step toward living pain-free! But your success depends 50% on the surgery and 50% on your commitment to physiotherapy.
Our physiotherapists at Veritas Rehabilitation Hospital confirm that the best outcomes begin before your surgery and continue strong afterward. We’ve broken down the 6 essential knee replacement exercises that will speed up your recovery and get you back on your feet faster.
"Always consult your orthopedic doctor and physiotherapist before starting any exercise program."
Perform 10 repetitions of each exercise, twice a day, every day. Consistency is the secret to a fast recovery!
Goal: Improve circulation (blood flow) to prevent clotting and reduce swelling. This is essential right after surgery!
Position: Lying down or sitting with your leg straight or slightly bent.
| Action | How to Do It |
| Pump Down | Slowly point your toes away from you, like a ballerina. |
| Pump Up | Slowly pull your toes up toward your head until you feel a gentle stretch in your calf. |
Goal: Strengthen the quadriceps (thigh muscle) and maintain the ability to straighten your knee (full extension).
Position: Lying on your back with your legs straight.
| Action | How to Do It |
| Contract | Tighten the muscle on top of your thigh as hard as you can. Feel your kneecap pull upward. |
| Press Down | Push the back of your knee down into the bed or floor. |
| Hold | Hold the contraction for 5 seconds, then relax. |
Goal: Build strong hip and thigh muscles to control your new joint while walking.
Position: Lying on your back. Bend your non-surgical leg slightly for support.
| Action | How to Do It |
| Prep | Tighten your thigh muscle (perform a Quad Set first). |
| Lift | Keeping the surgical knee perfectly straight, lift the entire leg off the bed. Lift it only until it’s level with your bent leg. |
| Lower | Lower the leg slowly and gently back to the bed. |
Goal: Increase knee flexion (bending) range of motion. This is the main focus of early TKR recovery!
Position: Lying on your back with legs extended.
| Action | How to Do It |
| Slide Up | Keeping your heel in contact with the bed, slowly slide it up toward your buttocks, bending your knee as far as possible. |
| Return | Slowly slide your heel back down to the starting position. |
Goal: Strengthen the quadriceps without full knee extension, reducing strain on the new joint.
Position: Lying on your back. Place a thick pillow or firm roll (like a coffee can wrapped in a towel) directly under your knee.
| Action | How to Do It |
| Kick Out | Slowly lift your foot off the bed and straighten your bent knee completely. |
| Hold | Hold the straight position for 5 seconds. |
| Return | Slowly lower your foot back down to the bed and relax. |
Goal: Improve dynamic range of motion (bending and straightening) using gravity.
Position: Sit in a firm chair where your feet can slightly clear the floor.
| Action | How to Do It |
| Bend | Let your foot hang down, bending your knee as far as you comfortably can. |
| Straighten | Use your thigh muscle to lift your foot and straighten your knee completely (aim for a completely straight lock). |
Pro Tip from Veritas Physio: If you are too tall and your feet touch, sit on a pillow to elevate yourself. Focus on getting the knee all the way straight every time.
These six exercises are the foundation, but a complete recovery requires expert guidance.
At Veritas Rehabilitation and Hospitals, our specialized Orthopedic Physiotherapy team will create a customized recovery plan for your new knee, incorporating advanced techniques like Electrotherapy (NMES) to safely accelerate your muscle strengthening.
Call : +91 9848000098
veritasrehab@gmail.com
Plot No, 31 & 32, Khanammet, Kondapur, Hyderabad - 500084
