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Knee bending tip

Posted , 11 users are following.

janice60986
janice60986

I am now almost 2 weeks post TKR and found the knee bends lying down in bed particularly excruciating.  I visited a physio privately who advised me to sit on the edge of a chair, walk feet backwards (I do this in very small stages), shuffle your bottom forward as necessary.  Bring back your poorly leg as far as you can.  Seems the gravity of being upright does make it easier!  Hope this helps

3 likes, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • PattyLee
    PattyLee janice60986

    Posted

    janice, I remember someone said they used a mini skateboard for that exercise. 

    I've used a plastic bag also to help my foot slide easier.  Best of luck to you!

  • lou1982
    lou1982 janice60986

    Posted

    Thanks for the tip janice,im also 2 weeks post tkr and finding the bending difficult..especially lying down,like you i sit in a chair and slide the leg back on a peice of shiny paper lol...but i will give your tip a go too tomorrow..
  • linda04825
    linda04825 janice60986

    Posted

    Yes Janice. I agree knee bending on bed too painful I'm 8 week post op and like you do it in a sitting position I also sit on dining chair I have wooden floor and I simply put a sheet of paper under foot of bad knee and slide backwards and forwards trying to get it as far as I canI also massage scar with bio oil twice a day with small quite hard circular movements. It always seems to loosen knee a bit I'm off crutches now unless I'm walking a fair distance when I use one. But still need to elevate and ice in the evening. We'l get there but it's a long hard slog .
  • Annodoremouse
    Annodoremouse janice60986

    Posted

    Im now nearly 10 months PO. I couldnt do knee bends lying down so the physio said do them sitting up. She also had me sitting with socks and sliding my foot back on a wooden floor. It is much better sitting

    I am now h

    'helping' in the allotment, walking without pain and going to the gym.

    There is light at the end of the tunnel

     

  • martinarvelo
    martinarvelo janice60986

    Posted

    I suppose the only difference is that by doing it sitting down, you are not actually using the muscles in the thigh . . which I imagine is the reason for this particular exercise. . . . It isn't only the bend of the knee which is important but building up the muscles.  I used to use a belt to pull the leg towards me, but my surgeon said that was not a good idea, as the important thing was that I use my own muscles to do the movement/

     

    • Annodoremouse
      Annodoremouse martinarvelo

      Posted

      You use the same set of muscles sitting or lying. Its just that some people find sitting is easier. Using a tie or belt is using the arm muscles. Along with sitting exercised I had to hold onto a worktop and bend my knees. Thats a tough one.
    • martinarvelo
      martinarvelo Annodoremouse

      Posted

      Not really sure about that.   People are saying their foot is on a plastic bag, or a skateboard . . it is actually much easier to get more bend if your foot is on the floor than in a lying down position . . seems a bit different to me.  I did them both . didn't do the one you mention though. Sounds horrific!  I only used the belt to pull the leg a bit further back after I had gone as far as I could with my own muscles.  In effect, that's just bending the knee a bit further by force, but the specialist said not to bother . . I was already doing that exercise while sitting and pushing the leg back under the chair.  Have to admit I've become very lazy about the exercises now at six months...and the knee does stiffen up.  Walking is more or less impossible because of my ankle pain . . which makes it too easy to be darned lazy! 
    • lou1982
      lou1982 martinarvelo

      Posted

      I must say i agree with you saying you get more bend when your foot is on the floor,i find it hard to get as much bend if im lying on the bed,suppose we are all different though...
    • Annodoremouse
      Annodoremouse martinarvelo

      Posted

      As I increased mobility my physio added 'the lunge' like fencers do. lean against a wall arms outstretched op knee bent forward with toes againt the wall, good leg straight a pace behind. Go forward until knee touches the wall (eventually) Reverse and you get the straight leg exercise. Its tough but a good one. Im spending the good weather in the allotment. Walkig a couple of miles is no problem, Gym work is routine. Im 9.5 months. I still get the twinges but its nothing compared to wha I had before
    • martinarvelo
      martinarvelo Annodoremouse

      Posted

      My knee is now pretty good. . .but now my ankle is agony on the other leg!  Seeing the specialist next week i hope . . feeling a bit depressed about that, as it's starting on the other ankle as well and if that one ends up as bad I am going to be virtually unable to walk .. don't think they do ankle replacements!

       

  • martinarvelo
    martinarvelo janice60986

    Posted

    Oh, and I also found that doing that exercise lying down made my sciatica worse!
  • sarndra
    sarndra janice60986

    Posted

    Or use a small skateboard. Works brilliantly as it is smooth movement.
  • carol66249
    carol66249 janice60986

    Posted

    Janice I used a mini (kids) skateboard for this exercise. It was the first thing that helped improved my bend. Same principle scootch to the edge of chair, put bad leg on the skateboard and move backwards towards the chair, plus you can also use good leg to give it that extra little push and hold for count of 10. Skateboard cost £4 on well known website. Now at 18 weeks post op and still use my skateboard regularly. Good luck..
  • sarah87162
    sarah87162 janice60986

    Posted

    I had TKR 3 years ago and am trying to remember exercises I did at physiotherapy sessions.

    Sittting on a bed. or couch. Having a tea tray at your feet. Keep your socks on. Start bending bad knee up towards you allowing the sock to slide up the tray. The sliding movement helps. Mark how far up the tray you go. Next day try and push it a bit further.

    Hope this is helpful.

    Sarah

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