While Still in the Hospital

Exercises will be started on the day of surgery or the next day in most of the cases. Pain management in the form of ice packs around your knee, elevation of limb, and massage with pain relieving gels will be started. An orthoexcellence expert or Physiotherapist will visit you and help you to start an exercise program. He will guide you to get out of the bed and put weight on legs for the first time. You will allowed to take sides in bed. You will be given toilet training by the physiotherapy staff.

(Week 01)

• Ankle pumps and toe movements
• Start bedside Quadriceps exercises (tighten your thigh muscles and hold it tight for up to 10 seconds and then relax. Do 10 repetitions per hour
• Straight leg raising, bending and straightening your knees
• Standing and Walking with walker or stick can be started from day 1
• Use of Stairs can be started depending on good thigh strength.
• You should be able to bend knee up to 90 degrees at the end of week 1

After Hospital Discharge

Most patients are discharged from the hospital after 5th day after admission. You will have a bandage and knee brace on your knee. Knee brace is to be kept during day and night and only be removed while doing exercises. Knee brace is always worn while walking for the first 4-6 weeks. You should remember that this is the most important part of recovery period after surgery which begins at home.

(Week 2-4)

• Ask for an Orthoexcellence physiotherapy expert’s assistance at home
• Continue pain management measures as earlier.
• Continues all excises as earlier.
• Gradually Increase knee bending up to 100 degrees after stitch removal.
• Correct Extension lag (Inability to fully straighten your knee) if any to less than 10 degrees.
• Standing gym cycling backwards can be added.
• Continue gait training, walking with or without stick
• Start standing hip exercises, core stabilization and balancing exercises.

(Week 6-8)

• Continue all exercises as earlier.
• Walk with no limp.
• Knee bending more than 115 degrees and fully straight leg without leg.
• Start side walking, and single leg exercises.
• Car driving can be started

(Week 8-12)

• Knee bending should be full without lag.
• Resume most of the house hold activities.
• Start Light sports, light Jogging, light gym cycling backward or forwards.
• You should back to your normal life around 3 months.

(NOW YOU CAN WALK, JOG, GOLF, BIKE, DANCE & ENJOY YOUR LIFE)

Note: All progressions are approximations and should be used as a guideline only. Progression will be based on individual patient presentation, which is assessed throughout the treatment process.