Click here for a comprehensive patient guide to knee replacement surgery.


General Rehab considerations:

•    All times are to be considered approximate, with actual progression based upon
     clinical presentation.
•    Patients are full weight bearing with the use of crutches, a walker or a cane to assist
     walking until they are able to demonstrate good walking mechanics
•    Early emphasis is on achieving full extension equal to the opposite leg as soon as
     able
•    No passive or active flexion range of motion greater than 90 degrees until staples
     are removed
•    Regular manual treatment should be conducted to the patella and all incisions so
     they remain mobile
•    Early exercises should focus on recruitment of the vastus medialis obliquus (VMO)
•    No resisted leg extension machines (isotonic or isokinetic) at any point in the rehab
     process
•    CPM (continuous passive motion machine) may be issued based upon doctor’s
     recommendation per case


Week 1:

•    M.D. visit after hospital discharge to change dressing and review home exercise
     program
•    Icing, elevation, and aggressive edema control (i.e. circumferential massage,
     compressive wraps)
•    Straight leg raise exercises (standing and seated), passive and active ROM
     exercises
•    Initiate quadricep/adduction/gluteal sets, gait training, balance/proprioception
     exercises
•    Well leg cycling and upper body conditioning
•    Soft tissue treatments and gentle mobilization to the posterior musculature, patella,
     and incisions to avoid flexion or patella contracture


Week 2-4:

•    M.D. visit at 14 days for staple removal and check-up
•    Continue with home program, progress flexion range of motion, gait training, soft
     tissue treatments, and balance/proprioception exercises
•    Incorporate functional exercises as able (i.e. seated/standing marching, , hamstring
     carpet drags, hip/gluteal exercises, and core stabilization exercises)
•    Aerobic exercise as tolerated (i.e. bilateral stationary cycling as able, UBE, pool
     workouts.)


Week 4-6:

•    M.D. visit at 4 weeks post-op
•    Increase the intensity of functional exercises (i.e. progress to walking outside,
     introducing weight machines as able)
•    Continue balance/proprioception exercises (i.e. heel-to-toe walking, assisted single
     leg balance)
•    Slow to normal walking without a limp


Week 6-8:

•    Add lateral training exercises (i.e. lateral steps, lateral step-ups, step overs) as able.
•    Incorporate single leg exercises as able (eccentric focus early on)
•    Patients should be walking without a limp and range of motion should be < 10
     degrees extension and > 110