Knee exercises after surgery

The modern world encourages a person to action, movement. Excessively active life brings a lot of trouble to the human body. These are all kinds of stress, damage to the musculoskeletal system, excessive stress on the joints. One of the most commonly affected joints is the knee joint. As a rule, after several years, they resort to surgical intervention - arthroplasty. In this case, certain loads are assigned that contribute to the restoration of the normal functioning of the joint.

The main program of medical and mobilization activities

After surgical interventions and the introduction of a prosthesis, the muscles of the thigh and lower leg atrophy, their innervation and blood supply are disturbed. Accordingly, mobility in the joint is also impaired. In order to restore the ability of the joint to move, it is necessary to constantly perform various physical activities. Most of the knee exercises after surgery can be done at home. This allows you to save time (the procedure takes about 30 minutes) and protect yourself from unwanted damage.

At the same time, it is necessary to give a uniform load and not exceed the established norms. If the intensity is too high, your condition may worsen dramatically. In this case, changes in the color of the joint may be observed - it will be hyperemic, i.e. red and warm. In this case, the applied loads should be stopped immediately until the condition improves.

What actions should be taken if your condition worsens?

1. First of all, you should stop all the loads, ensure peace.
2. Apply cold to the area of ​​redness. It can be ice or, in extreme cases, a piece of frozen meat.
3. Apply a compression bandage to the knee joint.
4. Try to keep your leg elevated.

exercise therapy exercises

Therapeutic exercise after knee surgery is divided into several stages: initial and intermediate.

First stage

The initial stage includes several strengthening exercises, which are carried out on the 2nd day after the operation and until the end of the first week. It includes:

• Exercises aimed at the posterior femoral muscles. Leg curls are performed while lying on your back. Then an emphasis is created with the heels on the place where the exercise takes place. While holding this position, you need to strain the posterior femoral muscles for five seconds. At the same time, it is important to perform the exercise with moderate intensity and stop if pain occurs. The optimal number of repetitions is 8-10 times.
• Exercises aimed at the anterior femoral muscles. Here, the execution takes place lying on the stomach. A crumpled rag or roller is placed under the feet. After that, you need to put pressure on this object, trying to make the leg straight. The tension lasts five seconds. The optimal number of repetitions is 8-10 times.
• Exercises related to raising one leg. It is done lying on your back. It is necessary to make the leg straight and try to tear it off the floor by 20 cm. After lifting it, it is necessary to fix it in this position for several seconds. The optimal number of repetitions is 8-10 times.
• Exercises aimed at keeping the pelvis on weight. Lying on your back, leaning with your feet, raise the pelvic area and hold for several seconds in this position. The number of repeated actions is 5 times.
• An exercise performed in a standing position. The leg straightens and rises 20 cm from the floor. In this position, you need to hold it for a couple of seconds. The number of repeated actions is 5-10.

intermediate stage

The second stage of physical therapy after knee surgery begins to be performed after the first week of the postoperative period. Most of the exercises remain from the initial stage. The following are added:

• Incomplete squats. A chair is placed in front of the body, on which the patient leans. A small squat is performed (no more than 90 degrees), after which it is necessary to fix the position for several seconds. Then slowly lift to the starting position. 5-10 repetitions are acceptable.
• Incomplete squats on one leg. The technique is no different, except that only one leg is involved.
• Stretching the anterior thigh muscles. It is performed standing, leaning on a chair. The affected leg is pulled back and grasped with the hand. In this position, fixation is performed.
• Lifting on a small (20 cm) bench forward or sideways. Climb a step that is on the side or in front of the patient, and then return to the starting position. The optimal number of repetitions is 5-10.
• Sitting on the couch, put the operated leg on an opposing chair. A load weighing several kilograms is applied to the affected area. It is necessary to strain the leg and slowly relax.
• Use of an exercise bike. A very useful procedure. In order to pedal, you need to use all muscle groups and provide full range of movement in the joint. This exercise is available a few months after surgery. As you use the exercise bike, the duration of classes gradually increases and reaches half an hour a day. At the same time, the resistance of the pedals increases, which encourages an increase in the load.
• Using running or walking. Running becomes available only a month after the operation. However, walking has earlier indications for use - you can start in half a month. As with all exercises, the load should increase gradually. First 10 minutes walk, then more and more.

Rehabilitation of the joint after the action of traumatic agents

As a result of damage to the joint or surgery, the muscles and ligaments lose their tone, shorten and limit free movement in the joint. In order to avoid this, resort to special measures.

Exercises for the restoration of the knee joint after surgery occupy one of the key roles of the entire course of treatment. Massage is also important, which increases blood flow to the joint. Thus, the supply of nutrients to damaged muscles, ligaments, cartilage and bones is achieved, which ensures the normalization of motor activity in the joint. Often, patients who have suffered damage to the knee joint, as a preventive measure, are advised not to stop physical activity, but, on the contrary, to continue training, even when the knee joint has fully recovered.

Stretching

Stretching is a necessary component of any exercise to develop the knee joint after surgery. It allows you to reduce muscle resistance, restore the former elasticity to the tendon and ligamentous apparatus of the joint, which has been in a state of immobilization for a long time. Stretching is prescribed both at the initial stage of rehabilitation and at the intermediate stage.

How to stretch?

1. Sitting on the floor, stretch your legs. Then we pull the socks away from us and back. Change to produce after the appearance of mild pain.
2. Tilt your torso forward, trying to reach your toes.
3. Sitting, tilt the torso to the right toe, then to the left, fixing this position for several seconds.
4. Maintain balance by grasping the toes of the foot, previously bent at the knee joint, with one hand.

Summing up, I would like to note that the timely preparation of a therapeutic and physical training complex of measures can dramatically speed up the process of joint restoration and restore its mobility. Lack of activity can lead to serious consequences. Therefore, it is necessary to start motor activity as early as possible.