Getting your knee replacement surgery done can be painful but not moving and staying in bed is not an option. Moving your body and being physically active does not just help to lose weight but can impact your overall health. Being lethargic and following an inactive lifestyle can be an invitation to various health problems. We understand that it is not easy to get moving right after getting a knee replacement surgery done but you have to start somewhere. Here are 5 light exercises that you can practice simply in your bed with minimal movements. Although we would advise you to seek your physiotherapists and your surgeon’s advice before indulging into any kind of exercise. Without further ado let’s dive right into this article and learn 5 simple in bed exercises that you can practice after getting a knee replacement surgery.
Bed Exercises After Knee Replacement
Listed below are a few exercises that you must do after a knee replacement surgery:
#1. Knee Press Pillow
A simple exercise that you can do with minimum movements just with the help of a pillow. Follow these simple steps to perform a knee press pillow and get your ankles moving.
- Place a pillow under your knee
- Press the back of the knee into the pillow and release
- Repeat this procedure for 10 reps
#2. Knee Press With Lift
Image Credits- HSS
Also Read: 4 Yoga Asanas You Must Do To Strengthen Your Knees
Knee press with lift is an advanced version of knee press pillow exercise. Take it slow, stay steady and make sure that you do not stress your knee.
- Place a pillow under your knees
- Press the back of your knees into the pillow
- Flex your feet by bending it from the ankles.
- Lift up your foot a bit and release
- Repeat this exercise for 10 reps
#3. Knee press with Straight leg lift
Image Credits- Scrubbing in
Grab a pillow, place it under your knee and get going. Nee press with straight leg lift is another variation of knee press pillow that will help to provide mobility to your knees after a surgery.
- Take a pillow and place it under your knees.
- Slowly and steadily lift your leg up as high as you can.
- Make sure that you do not bend your knees while lifting your leg.
- Hold your leg up for 5 seconds.
- Slowly lower your leg down and get into the resting position.
- Repeat this exercise for 10 reps.
#4. Ankle Press on Pillow
Also Read- Why Is Knee Replacement Surgery Done? Know The Possible Side-Effects Of This Surgery
A simple yet effective exercise which you can perform with the help of some ankle movements without lifting your leg.
- Place a pillow under your ankle.
- Press into the cushion and flex your foot.
- Tighten your knee and pull your knee cap towards you and then release.
- Repeat these steps to perform this exercise for 10 reps.
#5. Theraband Hamstring Stretch
Image Credits- Sports Rec
Get a thera band, place it under your leg and do this hamstring stretch. This exercise .
- Get a thera band, place it under your leg and do this hamstring stretch. This exercise .
- Take a theraband and place it on your foot.
- Hold the band and get your elbows close to your chest
- Flex your foot and straighten up your leg.
- Stretch the theraband and hold the stretch for 20 seconds then release.
- Repeat this exercise for 10 reps.
Keep moving but do not give your body sudden jerks. All the exercises mentioned over here are very light and do not include sudden movements. We would still advise to seek your surgeon’s and therapist’s advice as they are the experts and know better about your condition.
Read more articles in Exercise & Fitness
