Patient Information leaflet - Physiotherapy Advice after your Total Knee Replacement

Due to limited movement after the operation, you will have to work hard to regain muscle power, mobility and ability to bend your knee.

It is very important to do the exercises your physiotherapist teaches you, so you get the most out of your new knee.

Once you understand how to do the exercises, you will be encouraged to do them on your own.

First exercises

Before being allowed to get out of bed for the first time, it is important to do the following exercises every hour. These will help prevent complications.

Take 3 - 4 deep breaths
Move your feet vigorously up and down 20 times
Tighten up thigh and buttock muscles and hold few seconds - repeat 10 times

Getting up and walking

After your operation, the physiotherapist and an assistant will help you to get out of bed and walk a few steps with a frame. You can put as much weight through your knee as you feel comfortable. Your physiotherapist will move you onto elbow crutches/sticks as required.

Stairs

You will practice the stairs with the physiotherapist before you go home.

Going upstairs

Lead with the un-operated (good) leg first, followed by the operated leg and then the crutch/stick.

Going down

Put the crutch on the step below, then step down with the operated leg, followed by the un-operated leg.

goes up goes down

Essential exercises

The following exercises are to be repeated at least 3 times a day. It is important to carry on with these when you get home until you are reviewed in the out patient physiotherapy department.

Straightening exercises

With your leg straight out in front of you - tighten the muscles at the front of your thigh, pushing the knee down. Hold the contraction for 3 seconds and repeat 10 times.

diagram1

Do the same as above but put the heel on a block or pillow.

diagram2

Sit with a rolled up towel under the knee. Keep the knee down on the towel and raise the heel off the bed. Straighten the knee as far as possible and hold for 3 seconds.

diagram3

Strengthening exercises

Sit with the leg out straight. Tighten the thigh muscles, lift the whole leg about 15 cm off the bed. Hold for 3 seconds and slowly lower down.

diagram4

Bending exercises

With a sliding sheet (at home use a plastic bag) under your heel, slide your heel towards your bottom. Hold on maximum bend for 3 seconds and then release.

diagram5

Sitting in a chair with your foot on the ground. Slide the foot firmly towards you and hold for 3 seconds.

diagram6

Progress chart

Here is a graph to record your progress at bending your knee.

chart

Further information

If you have any questions or concerns about your exercise, please contact the Hospital Switchboard on (01271) 322577 and ask them to bleep the Physiotherapist on Bleep 273.


Physiotherapy advice after your total knee replacement
Other formats If you need this information in another format such as audio tape or computer disk, Braille, large print, British Sign Language or translated into another language, please telephone 01271 311575.
Due to limited movement after the operation, you will have to work hard to regain muscle power, mobility and ability to bend your knee. It is very important to do the exercises your physiotherapist teaches you, so you get the most out of your new knee. Once you understand how to do the exercises, you will be encouraged to do them on your own. First exercises Before being allowed to get out of bed for the first time, it is important to do the following exercises every hour. These will help prevent complications. Take 3 - 4 deep breaths Move your feet vigorously up and down 20 times Tighten up thigh and buttock muscles and hold few seconds - repeat 10 times Getting up and walking After your operation, the physiotherapist and an assistant will help you to get out of bed and walk a few steps with a frame. You can put as much weight through your knee as you feel comfortable. Your physiotherapist will move you onto elbow crutches/sticks as required. Stairs You will practice the stairs with the physiotherapist before you go home. Going upstairs Lead with the un-operated (good) leg first, followed by the operated leg and then the crutch/stick. Going down Put the crutch on the step below, then step down with the operated leg, followed by the un-operated leg. Essential exercises The following exercises are to be repeated at least 3 times a day. It is important to carry on with these when you get home until you are reviewed in the out patient physiotherapy department. Straightening exercises With your leg straight out in front of you - tighten the muscles at the front of your thigh, pushing the knee down. Hold the contraction for 3 seconds and repeat 10 times. Do the same as above but put the heel on a block or pillow. Sit with a rolled up towel under the knee. Keep the knee down on the towel and raise the heel off the bed. Straighten the knee as far as possible and hold for 3 seconds. Strengthening exercises Sit with the leg out straight. Tighten the thigh muscles, lift the whole leg about 15 cm off the bed. Hold for 3 seconds and slowly lower down. Bending exercises With a sliding sheet (at home use a plastic bag) under your heel, slide your heel towards your bottom. Hold on maximum bend for 3 seconds and then release. Sitting in a chair with your foot on the ground. Slide the foot firmly towards you and hold for 3 seconds. Progress chart Here is a graph to record your progress at bending your knee. Further information If you have any questions or concerns about your exercise, please contact the Hospital Switchboard on (01271) 322577 and ask them to bleep the Physiotherapist on Bleep 273.
PALS The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) ensures that the NHS listens to patients, relatives, carers and friends, answers questions and resolves concerns as quickly as possible. If you have a query or concern, please visit them in the Information Centre on Level 2 at North Devon District Hospital or contact them on 01271 314090. Have your say Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust aims to provide high quality services. However, please tell us when something could be improved. If you have a comment or compliment about a service or treatment, please raise your comments with a member of the ward staff in the first instance. Please also take the time to complete a comment card 'Tell us what you think', so we can make improvements. If you would like to make a formal complaint, please contact the Customer Relations Manager on 01271 322334 or put your concerns in writing to the Chief Executive, Northern Devon Healthcare Trust, Raleigh Park, Barnstaple, EX31 4JB. Tell us what you think If you have any suggestions to improve this leaflet, please contact the Communication Department on 01271 311575.
North Devon District Hospital Raleigh Park, Barnstaple Devon EX31 4JB Tel. 01271 322577 www.northdevonhealth.nhs.uk © NDHT