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
Home / Patient library / Exercise sheets / Sheet 86
After keyhole knee surgery: meniscus or ACL
Hip & knee · After knee surgery
Count the weeks from the day of your operation. The date is on your discharge card.
If your doctor wrote a different plan on your prescription, follow that instead of this page.
A4 PDF, 0.7 MB. Free to download — no sign-up, no email address needed.
Weeks 0–2
Bring the swelling down and get the knee fully straight. Put a cold pack wrapped in a cloth on the knee for 15 minutes, 3–4 times a day. After a meniscus repair, bend the knee only as far as we have written on your prescription.
Weight bearing As written on your prescription, with crutches, and the knee brace if we gave you one.
Quad sets
Sit with the leg straight. Press the back of the knee down and tighten the thigh.
- Hold 5 seconds
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: The thigh muscle tightening Should not feel: Knee pain
Terminal knee extension
Heel on a rolled towel, knee hanging free. Press it straight.
- Hold 5 seconds
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: The back of the knee stretching Should not feel: —
Straight leg raise
Lie down, one knee bent. Keep the other knee straight and lift the leg 20 cm.
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: The thigh working Should not feel: The knee bending or back pain
Heel slides
Lie down and slide the heel up towards the buttock, bending the knee as far as you can.
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: A stretch as the knee bends Should not feel: Sharp pain at the wound
Not yet A pillow under the knee, twisting on the operated leg, or driving.
Move to the next stage only after we have seen you, and the X-ray if one was planned.
Weeks 2–6
Stitches out. Walk with a normal step and get the knee bending past a right angle. Carry on with the earlier exercises.
Weight bearing Full, as comfortable, unless we have told you otherwise. After a meniscus repair, follow the date on your prescription.
Sitting knee bend
Sit on a firm chair. Slide the foot back under the chair to bend the knee, hold, then bring it forward.
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: A stretch as the knee bends Should not feel: Sharp pain
Calf raises
Rise onto both toes and lower under control.
- 15 times
- Daily
Should feel: The calf working Should not feel: Sharp pain
Standing hip abduction
Hold a chair. Lift the leg out to the side, keeping the body upright.
- 10 times
- Daily each side
Should feel: The side of the hip working Should not feel: Leaning over
Mini wall sit
Back against a wall, slide down a little way, hold, then stand.
- Hold 10 seconds
- 10 times
Should feel: The thighs working Should not feel: Knee pain at the front
Single-leg balance
Stand on one leg. Progress to eyes closed.
- 30 seconds
- 3 times a day
Should feel: Steady control Should not feel: The knee giving way
Not yet Squatting, sitting cross-legged, running or twisting.
Move to the next stage only after we have seen you, and the X-ray if one was planned.
Weeks 6–12
Build thigh strength and balance. Carry on with the earlier exercises.
Weight bearing Full.
Static cycling
Set the seat high, so the knee is almost straight at the bottom. Pedal gently with little resistance.
- 10 minutes
- Daily
Should feel: The knee moving freely Should not feel: Pain in the knee or hip
Step-up
Hold a rail. Step up onto a low step with the operated leg, then step down with the other leg.
- 10 times
- Daily
Should feel: The thigh working Should not feel: The knee falling inwards
Step down
Stand on a low step and lower the other heel slowly towards the floor.
- 10 times
- Daily
Should feel: Controlled lowering Should not feel: The knee falling inwards
Mini squat
Hold a support. Bend the knees a little way, then straighten.
- 10 times
- Daily
Should feel: The thighs working Should not feel: Deep groin pain
Hamstring curl
Lying face down, bend the knee against light resistance.
- 12 times
- Daily
Should feel: The back of the thigh working Should not feel: Cramp
Not yet Running, jumping or turning sport. Squatting low or sitting on the floor until we have told you it is safe.
Move to the next stage only after we have seen you, and the X-ray if one was planned.
Month 3 onwards
After a meniscus trim, most people are back to everything by now. After an ACL reconstruction, straight-line jogging starts at about 3–4 months if we agree, and sport with turning and jumping waits until at least 9 months and a strength check with us. Carry on with the third-stage exercises.
Weight bearing Full.
Single-leg balance
Stand on one leg. Progress to eyes closed.
- 30 seconds
- 3 times a day
Should feel: Steady control Should not feel: The knee giving way
Step down
Stand on a low step and lower the other heel slowly towards the floor.
- 10 times
- Daily
Should feel: Controlled lowering Should not feel: The knee falling inwards
Not yet Football, kabaddi, cricket fielding or other turning and contact sport until we clear you.
Stop and telephone us if
- Sudden breathlessness or chest pain — go to the nearest hospital
- The calf becomes swollen, tight or painful
- The knee becomes hot, very swollen and very painful, or you have a fever
- Wound redness or discharge
- The knee still will not straighten fully at 2 weeks
- The knee locks or gives way
Ready when you are.
Call either clinic during consulting hours, or send a WhatsApp message any time.