Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Strengthening the Knees

In various medical conditions that involve knee treatment and keen surgery, physiotherapist recommend knee rehabilitation after the treatment. Rehabilitation is recommended to increase the strength of the knee as it was during normal condition. There are various knee exercising machines available in the market. But, these machines are very expensive. But, if you do not want to buy those expensive exercising gadgets, then you can practice some easy-to-do knee exercises. We have listed below some exercises for knee rehabilitation that you can do at home. It will not only improve the condition of your knee but will also be easy on your pocket.

Passive Motion of Knee Stretching

In certain knee conditions, it is advised to start from the basic level of exercise and then gradually increase the intensity of the knee exercise. The patient must sit straight and keep both his legs stretched in the front direction. Then gradually stretch his legs apart from each other in a position where he / she can form the alphabet A. If the patient experiences pain while doing so, then he has to do it gradually and after the exercise massage both the knee muscles gradually with both the hands. It is advised not to strain too much in doing soothe exercise. Do this exercise for 2 to 3 minutes and then increase the time limit to 5 or 10 minutes after a few days. It is advisable to do these knee rehab exercises after consultation with your therapist.


Stretch Knees while Crossing the Legs

Stand up in a position where one leg will cross another leg. For example if your right leg is behind the left leg, then hold your waist with your hands and gradually bend towards your left. Stay in that position for some time and then repeat the exercise towards your right side.


Exercise with the Help of Football Size Ball

This type of exercise will benefit patients who suffer from patellofemoral tracking problems. The patient is required to lie down on a flat surface and place a football sized soft ball under one knee at a time. Let the entire leg rest on the ball and then gradually move the entire leg in clock wise and anti clock wise direction at least ten times. Repeat the same exercise with the other leg.


Knee Exercise with a Small Table

Take a small table (approx. height from the floor must be 15 cm.) and place one leg over the table. Then slowly stand on the table with the support of one leg which has been previously placed on the table. Keep the other leg free. This will increase the strength of knee and the knee muscles. Repeat the same exercise with the other leg.


Knee rehabilitation is a must after any kind of knee surgery or knee injury. The type of knee exercise you do depends upon the type of treatment that has been done on the knee. It is always suggested to take doctor’s advice in doing any sort of knee exercise. One may feel pain when you start with the knee exercises initially but slowly will get accustomed to the exercise schedules. The duration of knee rehabilitation will depend upon the type of injury or operation that your knee has gone through. One must have patience and dedication to get back the normal knee strength.