
These exercises are for current patient reference only. You will receive a personalized rehab plan after surgery.
General guidelines
Activity:
- Non-weight bearing (no walking, standing or kneeling) on surgical leg.
- Home exercise program twice daily.
- May use ankle weights with mat exercises under PT guidance.
- May pedal stationary bike with no resistance.
Note: Do not begin weight bearing on your surgical leg until your doctor advises you to do so, even after you are finished lengthening.
Positioning/Bracewear:
- Wear knee brace as instructed.
- Lie flat on stomach at least once daily for 30 minutes.
- No compression garments or devices. May elevate and ice as needed for swelling.
Note: Do not modify your bracewear schedule or adjust your brace settings except as instructed to do so by your doctor.
Strengthening
Ankle pumps: With leg resting on bed and knee straight, slowly pump ankle up and down as far as possible.
Quad sets: Tighten thigh muscle and straighten knee as much as possible. Hold 5 seconds.
Glute sets: Tighten buttocks, hold 5 seconds.
Short arc quads: Place a firmly rolled blanket under knee, with foot resting on bed. Straighten knee and hold 5 seconds.
Heel slides: Slowly bend your knee by sliding your foot as close to your buttocks as able..
Long arc quads: Sit with knees bent. Slowly straighten knee. Hold 5 seconds.
Straight leg raise: Lie on your back with opposite knee bent. Slowly raise leg, keeping knee straight. Hold 2 seconds.
Straight leg raise, sidelying: Bend bottom leg. Keep top leg in line with shoulder and knee straight. Lift slowly. Hold 2 seconds.
Straight leg raise, prone: Lift leg, keeping knee straight. Hold 2 seconds. Optional: place pillow under hips.
Hamstring curls: Slowly bend knee, bringing foot towards buttocks, until you feel a stretch. Hold 5 seconds.
Standing hip flexion: Stand with hand on a support. Lift leg forward, keeping knee straight.
Standing hip abduction: Stand with hand on a support. Tighten outer thigh and lift leg to the side, keeping knee straight and trunk upright.
Standing hip extension: Stand with hand on a support. Tighten buttocks and lift leg behind you, keeping knee straight and trunk upright.
Stretching
Heelcord stretch: Pull heelbone AWAY from patient while pushing ball of foot TOWARDS patient. Hold 20 seconds.
Heelcord stretch 2: Loop towel or elastic band around ball of foot. Pull towards you until stretch is felt on back of calf. Hold 20 seconds.
Knee extension stretch: Gently push down on top of thigh (just above the knee) while lifting calf upward to straighten knee. Hold 20 seconds.
Knee flexion stretch: Lying on stomach, stabilize hip while gently bending knee. Do not allow bottom to rise from bed. Hold 20 seconds.
Hip extension stretch: Stabilize buttocks with one hand while lifting thigh upward with other hand. Hold 20 seconds. Alternate: perform in sidelying.
Hip abduction stretch: Take leg out to side until a stretch is felt on inner thigh. Keep knee straight and avoid leg rolling outward. Hold 20 seconds.
Hamstring stretch: Begin with hip and knee bent in a chair position. Keeping thigh in place, gently straighten knee until stretch is felt on back of thigh. Hold 20 seconds.
Patellar mobility: Locate the top of the knee cap with one hand, and the bottom of the knee cap with the other hand.
- Gently guide the kneecap downward, towards the toes.
Hold ___seconds.
- Gently guide the kneecap upward, towards the hip.
Hold ____seconds.
Print-friendly version
Where to call with questions or concerns
Tracy Przybylski, PT
Physical Therapist
Limb Reconstruction and Lengthening
314-432-3600, ext. 1138
Jill Hahn, Clinical Coordinator
Limb Reconstruction and Lengthening
314-692-6443