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Knee Arthroscopy Exercise

Modern techniques of arthroscopic knee surgery have revolutionized knee operations, making incisions smaller and recovery time shorter, and making new procedures possible. Here are some tips on the exercises you will do to recover from arthroscopic knee surgery.

  1. Quad Sets

    • The most important muscle in knee rehabilitation is the quadriceps. This is the muscle that runs over the top of the kneecap and up the front of your thigh. The quad is the most significant muscle for keeping your kneecap in the right place when you bend your leg, so strengthening the quad is a must.

      Begin quad sets immediately after the surgery. In most cases this means you will be doing these, under the guidance of a physical therapist or nurse, in the recovery room after outpatient surgery, or upon waking up in the hospital.

      Lie prone and hold your leg straight and flat against the floor. Tighten the quad and ring of muscles surrounding your kneecap, then push your kneecap toward the ground. If you are doing the exercise correctly, it will appear as if your kneecap is moving up toward your thigh muscle. It will also hurt. Do 20 sets, holding the muscle tight for 10 seconds each time.

    Leg Lifts

    • Lie prone, keeping your leg straight. Tighten or engage the quad muscles in the same fashion as described above, then lift the leg--keeping it straight--at least two feet. Lower, relax and repeat. Start with two sets of 20 and then work up to two sets of 30. In each set of leg lifts, you work one leg at a time, but you work both legs equally.

      Side leg lifts are next. Lie on your side, engage the quads, then lift the straightened leg up two feet. Lower, relax, repeat. Again, start with two sets of 20 and then work up to two sets of 30 on each leg.

      Finally, turn onto your stomach. Keeping the leg straight, engage the quad muscles and lift the leg up. Usually you can lift only about 10 inches. Lower, relax, repeat. Start with two sets of 20 and then work up to two sets of 30.

    Resistance

    • Another important step in arthroscopic exercises is to build additional strength through resistance training. While you are undergoing physical therapy, you will be given a resistance band to use at home. These are like large rubber bands.

      One common exercise is to sit and place your foot through the band until it rests on the bottom of your foot. You then press your leg forward, using the resistance of the band to engage your quadriceps and thigh muscles. Your therapist will show you how to do this and give instructions on the number of repetitions.

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