5wks on

Are you talking about lifting your straight leg up from a prone position.  Or maybe where you flex your leg from straight to a bent position?

In either one I would use something that assisted the movement, and very gently.

You may use the leg lift sling, or possibly towel or strap around the foot to very gently apply pressure or assitance while your leg warmed up.   Just be careful not to force it.  Take your time.   And best of luck.

Hello jacqui

I am nearly 13 weeks now. I remember a time when I thought I would never be able to pull my knee up. I struggled with all the exercises for one reason or another. However if you persevere doing each exercise as well as you are able you will start to see an improvement. Try to do them twice daily but do not push yourself too hard. Aim to bend a fraction more each day, but be prepared to ease down if it is too painful. Listen to your body. It does get better.

If you can , Try it in water it's much easier. Hard on land. My Physio said it's like stretching an elastic band if you do it often it will loosen but if you only stretch it once it just goes back into original size.so keep at it ten reps four times a day I did and it's still hard but definetly improved. Try pushing pedal on a static bike not turning it just stretching up and down. Helps with knee lifts

Hi jacqie, I found that excersise hard too.bur I got my dressing gown belt and started to full it up by that it does do the trick. Don't push yourself too hard with your excersises I know you feel you must but softly does it . Your body needs to heal at its own pace, and it will. Best of luck.

Morning Jacqui.  Like you I am 5 weeks post op.and only discovered this wonderful site yesterday but already I can see that the recommended exercises vary considerably from physio to physio depending on which hospital one is with!  I am a 70 year old lady with MS and at first the exercises were nothing short of torture but now they have become routine and I do them 3 times a day.  My husband watches to ensure I do them properly and by that I mean putting the right amount of effort in and not counting too quickly.  Even a week ago I found the 10 repititions of each exercise oh so hard to hold for 5 seconds but not any more.  Please Jacqui can you describe the exercise you are having the most trouble with in more detail- is it done whilst lying flat on bed or is it leg raising whilst sitting on chair?  I will try to help all I can because everybody is right when they say these exercises, done 2/3 times EVERY single day are the key to a good post op outcome.  Hear from you soon and above all be patient Jacqui as we are all very different when it comes to healing and ability.

No pain no gain is the mantr usually but I change it to  "Pain never hurt anyone!. For. Laugh. Well. I TRY to laugh while doing my pre op exercises.

I agree with the advice to use a sgtrap or dressing gown strap to help pull the knee back, but my consultant insisted that first you should do what you can by using your muscles, and then use an aid to the point where you think OUCH but not quite SCREAM . . .My physio used to take it to the SCREAM point, and when I asked the consultant, he said tht was counter productive and not to do it. . . WAS I PLEASED!!!! I agree that the bringing the knee up when lying down is a really difficult exercise, but stick at it.  Today, nearly nine weeks, I have just managed the stairs downwards without a crutch (holding the bannister mind you!) which at five weeks I honestly thought I would never ever achieve. . .