3 Exercises to Reduce Pain and Swelling After a Knee-Replacement Surgery
Posted on: 8 November 2016
Your knees are an important part of your body, since their function is to help you sit, stand, walk, and complete normal everyday activities. Unfortunately, the ongoing use of your knee joints can result in inflammation, immobility, and pain. In many instances, a knee-replacement surgery is necessary to repair joint damage. While this is an invasive procedure, knee-replacement surgery can restore movement and decrease pain in an estimated 90 percent of cases. Of course, proper recovery is essential to the surgery's success. With these exercises, you can recover from your knee-replacement surgery in an effective and efficient manner.
Leg Lifts
Completing a few leg lifts each day after your surgery may not seem like a big deal. However, the exercise is a great option for building strength and endurance after your knee replacement.
Lie on the floor and extend one leg out straight. Bend the other leg at the knee. Lift the straightened leg up into the air and hold it in place for a few seconds. Gently place the leg back down and repeat the position and movement with the other leg.
The leg lift exercises will strengthen the muscles in your thighs, which will improve the stability of your knee.
Knee Stretch
Stretching your knee for a prolonged period of time will improve its range of motion, and that is imperative after your surgery. This will speed up your recovery, allowing you to drive, sit in a chair, and bend without any pain or stiffness after the procedure.
Sit in a chair and bend your knee back as far as possible. Hold the position for 20 to 30 seconds. Repeat multiple times per day. Each day, move forward in your chair before bending your knee and holding in place for up to 60 seconds. Increase the distance and time you are able to extend your knee.
Hamstring Stretch
Stretching your hamstring muscle is one of the easiest exercises to complete after your knee-replacement surgery. Not only will it strengthen your muscle to stabilize your knee, but it will also improve your gait.
To complete this exercise, lie on the floor and prop the leg with the new artificial knee up on a pillow. Hold this position for 10 to 15 seconds. If your other knee was also replaced, repeat the process using the other leg. Each day during your recovery, add a pillow to the stack to improve your knee's range of motion.
Knee-replacement surgery is an effective option for most people, but exercise is an important part of your recovery. Use one or all of these knee and leg exercises to recover in a safe and efficient manner. Talk to a company such as Halevy Life to find a personal trainer who can help you with your recovery.
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