Total Knee Replacement (TKR)
Home Exercises
Total Knee Joint Precautions (Do’s and Don’ts):
1. When turning, first turn your leg in the direction you are going. Do not pivot on your surgical leg.
2. Don't flex the knee past 90' unless instructed by the physician.
3. Don't sleep or lie with a towel or pillow under the knee as this will cause the muscles to shorten; you may
use a pillow crosswise under your calf so your knee can remain straight.
4. Sit in chairs with arms and place pillows or blankets in chair to raise the height.
5. Don't cross your legs.
6. Don't walk without crutches or walker until your physician tells you that it is okay to walk without them.
7. Don't put more weight on the leg than your therapist instructed you. Put full weight on the knee only when
the physician advises you.
8. Your weight bearing status is _______________.

General Exercise Instructions: Do only those exercises with the box
checked as recommended by
therapist unless specified otherwise by ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON.
 Sitting Push-Ups
Purpose:
To strengthen your shoulders and arms.
Position:
Sit forward in a chair with sturdy armrests or in a wheelchair. Place your hands on the armrests
or on the top of the wheels of a wheelchair. Be sure brakes are locked.
Action:
Lean forward from the waist. Push down with your arms and lift your bottom up off the chair.
Hold.
Repeat _____times.
Special Instructions:
 Sit To Stand (one leg in front)
Purpose:
To stand without putting weight on your surgical leg.
Position:
Scoot forward in your chair. Bend your "good' leg under you. Keep your surgical leg out in front.
Action:
Lean forward at your waist. Your face should be above your 'good' foot. Push up off the armrest
with your arms while remaining bent at the waist. Straighten your leg, and then straighten your
body as you reach for the walker.
Repeat _____times.
Special Instructions:
 Dorsiflexion / Plantarflexion
1.
2.
3.
4.
Sit on a sturdy surface high enough that your feet don't touch the floor.
Pull the top of your foot up toward your knee as far as possible. Hold for five seconds.
Push your foot down as far as possible.
Hold for five seconds and relax.
Repeat _____times.
Special Instructions:
 Quad Set
1.
2.
3.
4.
Sit on a firm, flat surface with your hands behind you for support.
Bend your uninvolved leg, keeping the involved leg straight
Straighten out the involved leg as much as possible, tightening the muscles on top of your thigh.
Hold for five seconds, and then relax.
Repeat _____times.
Special Instructions:
 Glut Sets
1.
2.
3.
4.
Recline on your back, supported by your elbows.
Keep both legs straight
Squeeze your buttocks together as tightly as possible.
Hold for five seconds and relax.
Repeat _____times.
Special Instructions:
 Hamstring Sets
1.
1.
2.
3.
Recline on your back, supported on your elbows.
Bend your knee to a height of about six inches.
Tighten the knee by digging down and back with your heel.
Hold for five seconds, and then relax.
Repeat _____times.
Special Instructions:
 Hip Adduction
1.
2.
3.
4.
Sit on a firm, flat surface with your hands behind you for support.
Keep both legs straight.
Place a rolled towel between your legs.
Squeeze the towel roll between both legs for five seconds, and then relax.
Repeat _____times.
Special Instructions:
 Hip and Knee Flexion
1.
2.
3.
4.
Lie on your back with your legs out straight and relaxed.
Keep your kneecaps pointed toward the ceiling throughout the exercise.
Slide one foot toward your buttocks, bending the knee and hip.
Slowly return to the starting position.
Repeat _____times.
Special Instructions:
 Hip Abduction, Back Lying
1.
2.
3.
4.
Lie on your back.
Keep both legs straight, and your toes pointed toward the ceiling throughout the exercise.
Move your involved leg out to the side as far as possible.
Slowly return to the starting position and relax.
Repeat _____times.
Special Instructions:
 Short Arc Quad
1.
2.
3.
4.
Sit on a firm, flat surface with your hands behind you for support.
Place a rolled towel under your knee to bend it about six inches.
Raise your foot until your knee is straight.
Hold for five seconds, and then relax.
Repeat _____times.
Special Instructions:
 Straight Leg Raise
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Recline on your back, resting on your elbows.
Bend the uninvolved leg, and keep the involved leg straight
Straighten the involved leg as much as possible, tightening the muscles on top of the thigh.
Raise your heel off the bed approximately four inches.
Hold for five seconds, then slowly return to the starting position and relax.
Repeat _____times.
Special Instructions:
 Long Arc Quads
1.
2.
3.
4.
Sit on a sturdy surface high enough that your feet don't touch the floor.
Grip the sides of the surface for support.
Straighten your knee completely (or degrees).
Return to starting position and relax.
Repeat _____times.
Special Instructions: