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Addenbrookes Hospital
Outpatient Physiotherapy
Patient Information
Early knee exercises

















Document history
Authors Outpatient Physiotherapy
Department Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation
Trust, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ
www.cuh.org.uk
Contact number 01223 245151
Publish/Review date September 2011/September 2014
File name Early_knee_exercises
Version number/Ref 1/PIN0527
Innovation and excellence in health and care
Addenbrookes Hospital l Rosie Hospital
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General advice:
If you have wounds, keep them clean and dry. Do not soak in
a bath until the wounds are healed. Wear a waterproof
dressing to take a shower.

Avoid limping. Use a walking aid if required. Your
physiotherapist will advise you on this.

Repeat these exercises as directed by your physiotherapist.
Aim to gradually increase the bend of your knee each time you
carry out the exercises.

A small amount of swelling is expected in the early days after
an operation. If your knee becomes hot, red or
uncomfortably swollen please, contact your G.P.


Exercises:

1. Ankle exercises

This exercise is for your circulation.
Lie or sit with your back supported.
Pump your ankles up or down.
This should be performed regularly.

2. Heel slides

Lie on your back, in a comfortable
position. Bend your knee, keeping
your heel close to the bed.
Repeat.




Pain relief
To help us optimise your treatment, it is important that you
have adequate pain relief. If you are suffering high levels of
pain please seek advice from your pharmacist or GP.

Further advice
Please be aware that this handout is to be used as a guide. If
you find these exercises painful, please seek advice from your
physiotherapist or GP.

Contacts
Please contact our reception on 01223 216633 to leave a
message for your physiotherapist or to enquire about
appointments.

This information has been compiled by the
physiotherapy team at Addenbrookes Hospital. You
may receive this information during an appointment
with a physiotherapist, from your GP or via our website
at www.cuh.org.uk/outpatient-physio
















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7. Knee extension

Sit on a chair. Tighten the muscles on
the front of your thigh. Raise your foot
and straighten the knee until the leg is
fully straight. Slowly lower the leg.
Repeat.

8. Lunges

Stand with one leg slightly forward
and both knees bent. Lunge forward
ensuring that you control the
alignment by keeping the middle of
your kneecap over your 2
nd
toe.
Repeat

9. Wall Squats


Stand leaning with your back against a
wall and your feet about 20 cm from
the wall.

Slowly slide down the wall until your
hips and knees are at right angles.
Return to starting position. Have
something steady to hold on to close
by for safety

10. Balance

Stand on one foot. Keep your
balance. Hold for as long as possible.
Have something steady to hold on to
close by for safety.


3. Knee bends

Sit on a chair, with your thigh
supported. Bend your knee until a
mild stretch is felt. Hold this position
for __ seconds then relax.
Repeat.

4. Static quads


Lie on your back. Tighten your thigh
muscles by pushing your knee down
into the bed and pulling your toes
towards you. Keep the knee straight.
Hold this position for __ seconds.
Repeat.

5. Inner range quads

Lie on your back. Place a rolled-up
towel under the knee. Tighten the
muscles at the front and back of your
thigh to straighten knee and lift heel off
bed.
Repeat.

6. Straight leg raise

Lie on your back. Tighten the muscles
on the front of your thigh. Keeping
the leg straight, raise the whole leg
off the bed __ cm. Hold this position
for __ seconds. Slowly lower the leg.
Repeat.

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