Knee Replacement Exercises To Do After Surgery

Knee replacement exercises

Today we’re going to look at the top 6 exercises you can expect to perform following a knee replacement. These knee replacement exercises apply to both total knee replacements and partial knee replacements.

As a physical therapist, I’ve worked with patients within the hospital on day ONE of their surgery and have progressed patients in both the home health setting and within a physical therapy clinic. 

While I’ve seen hundreds of surgical patients this is most likely your first time having a knee replacement. 

And it can be a little bit scary because you’re not quite sure what to expect.

In this article, I’d like to cover 6 of the most important exercises you can expect to perform immediately after your knee replacement, so let’s dive into the first exercise. 

Top 6 Knee Replacement Exercises

Take a look at the full video below and use the images below as a reminder of the 6 key moves to do after a knee replacement.

Ankle Pumps

The first exercise is ankle pumps. The reason we do this exercise is to promote blood flow and to prevent blood clots. The pumping motion works to draw fluid back up towards the heart and promotes good circulation.  

Your goal should be to perform 10 to 20 ankle pumps on each leg every hour that you are awake.  It’s a good idea to stay mobile during the day so standing every hour and performing ankle pumps every hour should be a part of your new routine. 

Quad Sets

This next exercise is called a quad set or quadriceps contraction. The idea here is to restore strength to the quadriceps muscle so that you knee can fully extend your knee and avoid buckling when you’re standing. 

To perform a quad set, position a small towel roll under your ankle. Now tighten the muscle on the top of your leg as though you’re trying to touch the back of your knee to the bed. Hold this for 5 seconds and relax the leg completely, repeating this sequence 10 times. 

One trick to performing this exercise is to tighten the opposite leg muscle at the same time.  In physical therapy we call this co-contraction, and it’s a great way to improve the strength of your surgical leg.

For this exercise, perform 10 repetitions 2 to 3 times a day. 

quad sets

Straight Leg Raise

Ok the next exercise is called straight leg raise and it pairs perfectly with the quad set exercise you just completed. 

To perform the straight leg raise properly, lie on your back with your surgical leg straight and your opposite knee bent.

Tighten your thigh muscle and lift your surgical leg off the bed as high as you can or until it meets your opposite knee.  Lower your leg and completely relax the muscle before repeating this movement for 10 repetitions.  

It’s important to avoid holding your breath while performing these exercises so think about exhaling or breathing out while you lift your leg. 

Try to perform 10 repetitions of this exercise 2 to 3 times a day. 

Ok, we’re exactly half way through the exercise. So far we’ve covered ankle pumps, quad sets, and the straight leg raise. Now let’s look at the other three knee replacement exercises you can expect to do right away after your surgery. 

straight leg raise

Heel Slides

The heel slide exercise is one of the most important exercises to perform after your surgery. 

While lying on your back with both legs fully extended, try to slowly slide your heel up towards your buttock, bending your knee as much as possible.

It’s ok to use your opposite foot to help assist in this motion and it’s even better if you’re able to do this with a slick surface under your foot.  Some patients like using a plastic bag on their foot to slide easier, while some use a paper plate under the foot.

This exercise may be progressed with a towel behind the knee to assist the knee into greater flexion. 

If you find that you can’t go much further, try a few slow ankle pumps when you’ve reached maximum knee flexion. This is a nice trick to achieve just a little more ROM in the knee during a heel slide. 

Heel slides

SAQ: Short Arc Quads (Mini Kicks)

The short arc quad exercises works to strengthen the muscle on the top of your thigh, your quadriceps. 

To perform short arc quads, position a towel or folded pillow under your knee while your leg is extended.  In this position, tighten your thigh muscle and try to fully straighten out your leg, but avoid lifting it off the pillow completely.  Hold this position for 3 to 5 seconds and lower your leg back to the surface. 

Now just like the other exercises, avoid holding your breath and aim to perform 10 repetitions 2 to 3 times a day.

Short arc quad

Seated Knee Flexion 

Before we get into the last knee replacement exercise, I want to share something really quickly about sitting.

I always encourage my patients with knee replacements to keep the knee in one of two positions: fully straight or fully bent as much as possible.  Resting your knee in the middle somewhere is tempting because it will feel most comfortable. But you only have a short window of time over the next few weeks to achieve the ROM you need before scar tissue prohibits you from making any more progress. 

So this exercise of seated knee flexion seems very simple, but it’s very effective for restoring your ROM.

How to Perform: Find a chair to sit in so your surgical leg just reaches the floor. Bend your surgical knee as far as you can, then slide your foot forward so it straightens fully.  Perform 10 repetitions of this exercise, 2 to 3 times a day. 

Similar to the heel slide exercise, you can mix in a few ankle pumps at the end range flexion to make this exercise more advanced. 

So there you have it, the 6 basic knee replacement exercises you can expect to perform right away after your partial or total knee replacement surgery.

If you haven’t had your surgery yet, it’s a good idea to give these simple exercises a try now so you have a better idea on how they should feel when you’re ready to do them on your own.  Of course, your physical therapist will guide you through an appropriate progression based on your recovery. 

Knee Replacement Exercises: A Review

Here’s the list of exercises one more time:

Ankle Pumps: x20 every waking hour
Quad Set x 10 – 3 sets a day
Straight Leg Raise x 10 – 3 sets a day
Heel Slides x 10 – 3 sets a day
SAQ (Short Arc Quads) x 10 – 3 sets a day
Seated Knee Flexion x 10 – 3 sets a day

Keep Reading: Best Exercise Equipment for Knee Replacement

Tim Fraticelli DPT, MBA, CFP®

Tim Fraticelli is a Physical Therapist, Certified Financial Planner™ and founder of PTProgress.com. He loves to teach PTs and OTs ways to save time and money in and out of the clinic, especially when it comes to documentation or continuing education. Follow him on YouTube for weekly videos on ways to improve your financial health.

22 thoughts on “Knee Replacement Exercises To Do After Surgery”

  1. This is nice post. I just had my knee replaced 5 days ago. Very helpful. Loved the mini video showing how to do the exercises. Thanks for all the help and encouragement.

    Reply
  2. Today is 9th of Oct. Had knee replacement total on Oct. 1st able to completing four of the exercises so far plus 6 more from therapist Marian very good Who would say after knee replacement 81 of age some pain but not any of what I thought would happen might as well give Dr. Trevor Banka Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospitol as he put it the best at what he did 😀😀😀 did me a fine job. Very satisfied with him and Rosa his Robot. Thank you.

    Reply
  3. Thank you for including video.
    13 days post op from OATS surgery.
    Not much info on the web re recovery.
    But I assume some these exercises will be used.

    Reply
  4. I am Having trouble with the Knee Bends, I can slide my foot but then it gets to a point where It will not move Further back towards my Back side. I had my tkr on 17 th March, and prior to surgery I had both semi lunar cartilages torn and out in 1980. Over the years Osteo Arthritis formed . I always had limited movement in bending my knee for the past 40 years. What is the best way to inprove My bending of the knee. Would it now be possible I have some scar tissue causing the non Movement. Do not see my surgeon till end of January 2021

    Reply
    • Hi Gus I had similar problems to yourself, had my surgery March 2020 and Now January 2021. Have persisted with going regularly to a heated pool and doing an hour of exercises and walking. I also have been attending my Physio and going now monthly. He states still getting more bend and will continue as long as I can to get best results. I had a lot of scaring and scar tissue from previous surgery so I presume I still have some. Due back to specialist in March. I have 100 degrees + bend, enough to go up and downstairs and to be able to sit without my leg sticking which it did for about 28 years after unsuccessful knee reconstruction & follow up arthroscope. Hope yours improves soon. Take care 😀

      Reply
  5. I have had knee replacement on right knee January 2021 am scheduled for left knee April 2021. These are the exercises I did with the first knee. I really progressed fast. Looking forward to the left now. Will be using the same exercises. I expect the same recovery using these exercises.

    Reply
  6. Thank you! April 19, 2021 had surgery and this information is fantastic! Starting with the exercises in the morning. As of right now, April 21,1 am, I’ve been with a lot of pain but I was able to make little steps and yesterday I was seated for a couple of hours moving my leg back and forth.

    Reply
  7. Can these exercises be sent to my email ? I can’t download that site to listen.
    I’m 70 and I don’t do web anything.
    I only have email. I’m getting knee surgery in late Sept 2021, (next month). It takes older people longer to heal. Can I really do these exercises in reality ?
    Please answer back. I need encouragement.

    Reply
  8. Enjoyed this site…I am 3 months post replacement…need all the help I can get. Doing P.T. two times a week…almost done with it.

    thanks

    c.w.hayden

    Reply
  9. Great video, every little bit helps with excise. When your insurance denies therapy,after a knee replacement. Thanks. Just had my April 26th 2023

    Reply
  10. Mother in law is five days post op and we are at the park following these exercises from a park bench in the sun and fresh air. Thank you so much for making this!

    Reply

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