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How to Get Extension Back Into the Knee After a Total Knee Replacement

Having knee replacement surgery will change your life. If you've been suffering from long-term pain and a crippling lack of motion, the surgery can be a huge improvement. But even if you're thrilled with the outcome, a full recovery depends a lot on you. Rehabilitation plays a big part in successful knee replacement. Getting your extension back after total knee replacement takes work.

Things You'll Need

  • Physical therapy
  • Towels
  • Exercise facility
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Instructions

  1. Regaining Extension after Total Knee Replacement

    • 1

      Begin with physical therapy and be prepared to stick to it. It will be hard, and it will be painful, but it is absolutely necessity if you want to heal properly.

    • 2

      Do heel slides. From a sitting position, place your feet flat on the ground or floor. Using a towel wrapped around your ankle and gripped in each hand, gently slide your heel back toward your rear end. Start with five repetitions and work up to 20 or more over time. At each session try to bring your heel a little farther back.

    • 3

      Lie on a bed face down and allow your leg to hang over the bed. Relax the quadricep muscles and let gravity pull the leg straight by pulling your foot toward the floor. Once your leg is straightened, slowly bring it back up to a full bent position. Then allow it to sink down again.

    • 4

      Under supervision of a physical therapist, use weight machines to do leg curls and leg presses. These will work the muscles surrounding the knee and break down scar tissue. It will also help your overall flexion, or bending movement.

    • 5

      Do wall squats. Lean your back against a wall, with your knees slightly bent. Slowly lower yourself into a moderate squat while keeping your back flat against the wall. Start with five repetitions and work up to 20 or more.

    • 6

      Do all these exercises and any additional ones recommended by your therapist. Put your best effort into them. The better you do at physical therapy, the more extension you will have.

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