Preparing for a knee replacement can be daunting. Getting a brand new knee is a major surgery and completing some simple exercises beforehand can help manage pain before the surgery happens. Our Oakville chiropractors and Physiotherapy Team has put together some exercises to try and help manage knee pain, strengthen the muscles around the joint to give it as much support as possible, and create a strong knee to keep the pain as low as possible.
Knee Replacement Exercises
Knee osteoarthritis can have a major effect on quality of life. When the knee is painful, walking, climbing stairs and standing for longer periods of time are difficult. Those activities account for a large portion of the day. Sitting and resting may feel good, but then getting up to move again may take a while to get going. What we’re trying to say is that knee osteoarthritis can be a big hindrance on daily life.
When the knee degenerates, we lose the cushion between our bones. The knee joint is made up of our femur (our upper leg bone), the tibia (one of the lower leg bones) and our patella (the kneecap). In a healthy joint, the ends of the leg bones and the backside of the kneecap all have a cartilage covering that helps the joint glide and slide easily. We also have two C-shaped cushions, called menisci, that sit between the upper and lower leg bones and help cushion the joint. When the cartilage and/or meniscus wears down, pain and stiffness can result. If the degenerative process progresses far enough, a joint replacement may be suggested by your medical doctor.
If you are looking for some simple exercises to help manage pain and keep the knee as mobile and strong as possible, give these exercises a try. Book an appointment with Dr. Steve or Dr. Jenn today to get hands-on treatment to help manage your arthritis!
Physio Approved Knee Replacement Exercises
