Heel slides
Lie down and slide the heel up towards the buttock, bending the knee as far as you can.
- 10 times
- 4 times a day
Should feel: A stretch as the knee bends Should not feel: Sharp pain at the wound
Home / Patient library / Exercise sheets / Sheet 31
After knee replacement
Hip & knee · Knee replacement recovery
How to use this sheet. Do the exercises slowly. Stop before the pain builds — mild discomfort is fine, sharp pain is not. A little every day beats a lot once a week.
A4 PDF, 0.2 MB. Free to download — no sign-up, no email address needed.
Terminal knee extension
Heel on a rolled towel, knee hanging free. Press it straight.
- Hold 5 seconds
- 15 times, 4 times a day
Should feel: The back of the knee stretching Should not feel: —
Quad sets
Tighten the thigh with the leg straight.
- Hold 5 seconds
- 15 times, 4 times a day
Should feel: The thigh working Should not feel: —
Straight leg raise
Lift the straight leg 20 cm.
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: The thigh working Should not feel: The knee sagging
Ankle pumps
Pump the feet up and down to keep the blood moving.
- 20 times
- Every hour while awake
Should feel: The calf working Should not feel: Calf pain or swelling — tell us
Stop and telephone us if
- The pain is getting worse, not better, after two weeks
- You get new numbness, tingling or weakness
- The joint swells up or locks
- You feel unwell or feverish
Ready when you are.
Call either clinic during consulting hours, or send a WhatsApp message any time.