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 87
After surgery on a broken kneecap, or a break into the knee joint
Hip & knee · After surgery on a broken bone
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: rest with the ankle above the hip and the knee straight. Wear the knee brace for walking and at night. Bend the knee only as far as we have written on your prescription.
Weight bearing As written on your prescription. Kneecap: usually full, in the straight-knee brace. A break into the knee joint (top of the shin bone or bottom of the thigh bone): usually little or none, with crutches.
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
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
Buttock squeeze
Lie on your back with the legs straight. Squeeze the buttocks together, hold, then relax.
- Hold 5 seconds
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: The buttocks tightening Should not feel: Back pain
Lying hip slide out
Lie on your back, legs straight, toes pointing up. Slide the leg out to the side and back, keeping the knee straight.
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: The side of the hip working Should not feel: The toes rolling outwards
Not yet A pillow under the knee, bending further than we have allowed, 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. Bend the knee a little further at each stage we set at your visits, aiming for a right angle by about 6 weeks. Carry on with the earlier exercises.
Weight bearing As written on your prescription. Kneecap: full, in the brace. A break into the knee joint: still little or none.
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
Sitting heel and toe raises
Sit with both feet flat on the floor. Lift the heels, lower them, then lift the toes.
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: The calf and the front of the shin working Should not feel: Sharp pain
Towel calf stretch, sitting
Sit with the leg straight. Loop a towel round the ball of the foot and pull the toes towards you.
- Hold 30 seconds
- 3 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: A stretch in the calf Should not feel: Sharp pain
Not yet Squatting, kneeling, or walking without the brace.
Move to the next stage only after we have seen you, and the X-ray if one was planned.
Weeks 6–12
Brace off when we advise. Get the knee bending fully, build thigh strength and walk without a limp. Carry on with the earlier exercises.
Weight bearing Increasing to full, as the X-ray shows healing.
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
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
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
Calf raises
Rise onto both toes and lower under control.
- 15 times
- Daily
Should feel: The calf working Should not feel: Sharp pain
Single-leg balance
Stand on one leg beside a worktop. Balance prevents falls, and preventing falls prevents fractures.
- 30 seconds
- 3 times a day
Should feel: Working to stay steady Should not feel: Losing balance — hold on
Not yet Running, jumping or kneeling. Squatting 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
Back to work and sport, as the X-ray shows. Carry on with the third-stage exercises.
Weight bearing Full.
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
Not yet Kneeling on the operated knee, or contact sport, until we clear you.
Stop and telephone us if
- Sudden breathlessness or chest pain — go to the nearest hospital
- Pain that keeps getting worse despite the painkillers, or the leg becomes very swollen, tight or hard
- The foot becomes numb, cold, pale or blue
- The calf becomes swollen, tight or painful
- Wound redness, discharge or fever
- A new snap, or you suddenly cannot lift the straight leg
Ready when you are.
Call either clinic during consulting hours, or send a WhatsApp message any time.