Early Post-Operative Exercises

• You should check with your orthopedic surgeon and physical therapist before undertaking any exercises, but most therapists will recommend you perform flexibility exercises at least twice a day during the earliest stages of post-operative care. Some exercises to try include: quadriceps sets, in which you try to straighten your knee and hold for 5 to 10 seconds; straight leg raises, in which you tighten the thigh with the leg fully extended and lift the leg a few inches; ankle pumps, moving the foot up and down by contracting calf and shin muscles; and sitting knee bends in which you place your opposite foot behind the heel of the operated knee and slowly bend the knee as far as you can and hold.
  
  

Early Activity

• Walking is one of the best ways to recover quickly and efficiently. You may need to use a walker or crutches at first, depending upon your therapist's recommendation. With your weight balanced, advance the walker or crutches, then reach forward with the operated leg with your knee straightened, with the heel of your foot touching the floor first. Eventually, when you can stand or walk for 10 minutes and you're no longer carrying the weight on the walker or crutches, you'll be able to use just a single crutch or cane. Another good activity is climbing stairs, using a handrail for support and only one step at a time.
  
  

Advanced Exercises

• After a period of time determined by your therapist, you can begin standing knee bends, lifting your thigh and bending your knee, and assisted knee bends, in which you'll lie on your back and use a towel over the foot to help bend the leg. Light weights can be added to the ankle to improve the resistance for these knee bends. Eventually, you can graduate to exercycling and ellipticals, usually after about 4 to 6 weeks.