Post-Operative Exercise

1. Deep Breathing Exercises (to prevent a chest infection)

Sit upright in your bed or chair. Take 3 slow deep breaths, in through your nose and out through your mouth. Keep your shoulders relaxed.Repeat every minutes you are awake.

NB The most efficient way of preventing a chest infection is beginning to mobilise as soon as possible after your operation.

2. Ankle Pumping (To prevent blood clots)

Sit upright in your bed or chair. Take 3 slow deep breaths, in through your nose and out through your mouth. Keep your shoulders relaxed.Repeat every minutes you are awake.

NB The most efficient way of preventing a chest infection is beginning to mobilise as soon as possible after your operation.

3. Bridging (To prevent bedsores)

Lying on your back, bend your non-operated leg and push through this and your arms to lift your bottom off the bed. Repeat as often as possible.

4. Static Quads
Lying on your back. Pull your foot up and push your operated knee into the bed tightening your thigh muscles. Hold for 5 seconds Repeat 10 times.

5. Hanging Out
Place heel on roll (heel must be high enough so calf and knee are off the surface).Hold for up to 20 minutes This should be done when icing and resting your leg. You can also tighten and relax thigh muscle in this position.

6. Heel slides in bed
Lying on the bed, place a plastic bag under the heel of your operated leg and slide your heel towards your bottom, you can use your hands to obtain as much bend in your knee as possible. You may use a plastic bag or “doughnut” under your heel to reduce friction. Hold for 5 seconds, Then bend knee a little further before releasing, Repeat 10 times.

7. Heel Digs
Lying on your back, bend the operated knee slightly. Push your heel into the bed. Hold for the count of 10, Repeat 10 times.

8. Knee extension over roll (Inner Range Quads)
Place a rolled towel under your knee, pull your foot up and keep the knee in contact with the pillow whilst straightening the knee. Hold for 5 seconds. Repeat 10 times.

DO NOT LEAVE YOUR OPERATED KNEE RESTING ON A PILLOW AS THIS WILL STOP YOU GETTING A STRAIGHT KNEE

9. Straight leg raise
Lying on a bed. Pull your foot up and brace your knee straight. Lift the leg 5 inches off the bed keeping your knee straight. You should have your non operated leg bent up during this exercise. Hold for 5 seconds Then lower slowly back down to the bed. Repeat 10 times.

10. Buttock clenching
Lying on your back. Squeeze your buttocks firmly together. Hold for 5 seconds. Repeat 10 times.

Protection

Use walking aids to help you carry out your daily life until advised by your Physiotherapist.

Rest

You should increase the amount of walking you do slowly and take regular periods of rest.

Ice

• Ice is used to reduce the amount of swelling, and can help to relieve pain.
• Do not use ice if you have cold allergies or circulatory problems.
• Do not put ice directly on the skin.
• On the ward the physiotherapist will show you how to use a Cryocuff.
• Before using ice make sure you have normal sensation on the knee.
• At home apply a bag of frozen peas or crushed ice wrapped in a damp towel onto the knee. Rest the ice on top of the knee, never rest the knee onto the ice. It is normal for the area to go red and slightly numb during icing. After the ice has been on for 5 minutes check the skin. If you notice that the area has gone white remove the ice immediately. If not, leave the ice in place for 20 minutes if you can tolerate it.

Compression

Your Physiotherapist may provide you with a tubigrip which you should wear throughout the day.

Elevation

Elevate the area as much as possible to help reduce swelling. The most effective way to do this is by spending one hour in the morning and afternoon lying flat on the bed with your operated leg resting on several pillows.