What kind of exercise is good to do before surgery?

[Libby]

I have surgery May 12th and am worried about the terrible shape I am in. What kind of exercise would be good to do before the surgery to get my legs in a better shape for the replacement? I know I don't have much time, but I am determined to do what ever to help myself along some. Thanks, Libby

 

[JenniferG]

Quad strengthening and stretching. Google it unless you can get some PT before surgery. Heel slides, leg extensions, isometric flexes. And a little upper body wouldn't hurt to strngthen arms for manuevering especially if you are doing Bi-Lateral knees. Sit in armed chair and lift your body with your arms only.

 

[Doug]

Try getting on a stationary bicycle. That is probably the best. Besides you will be using it extensively in the rehab process.
Or, if you just have a regular bike, ride it.
Your knees probably hurt too much to do too much walking are you wouldn't be getting the TKR.
Best of luck with it.

 

[Skeet]

Doug and Jennifer are spot on. No more to add other than to be as aggressive as you can because the muscles will atrophy fast and it is hard to build them back up. I am at 19 weeks and I'm still working hard on that.

 

[edk]

Anything you can do to increase your ROM and strength is worth it. And as Jennifer
said, don't neglect your upper body. Coming home from the hospital I got into a cab
and realized the position of the seats would not let me sit in the seat by the door. Luckily I had enough upper body strength to heft myself into another seat.

 

[April]

One practical thing I did was to use my walker before surgery to get use to the pressure on my palms and strengthen my upper body. Since you will more than likely be using a walker for a bit, I found this to be an effective way to adjust to post surgery. Not that I needed a walker before surgery.....

 

[referee54]

If you can do some squats and some leg curls/extensions, that would be a big help. Upper body is a must---you will be pulling and pushing yourself up and around until your legs can handle the chores. ou wilol be surprised how quickly your muscles atrophy and how long it takes to strengthen them again. Cycling, as doug mentioned, is also great. You need to get as strong as you can so that your rehab will be as easy as it can.

You might want to try to do as many straight-leg leg rasies as you can do, as well.

Tim C.

 

[Sue]

My sister rode her stationery bike every day for a long time before her knee surgery, and I think she had a lot less pain after surgery than I did. She was also able to get back on the bike and pedal all the way around a lot sooner than I could post-surgery. Since the bike is one of the main exercises after the surgery, I think it makes a lot of sense to build up the muscles above and below your knee by using the bike before surgery.

My best friend who is extremely overweight found it very helpful to work on her upper body strength before surgery, because having strong arms made it a lot easier for her to move in and out of the bed, onto the massage table, etc., after the surgery.

I personally didn't do much before the surgery, but wish I had done both of these things--the bike and upper body!

Best of luck to you,

Sue

 

[Simon]

The Mar-Apr 2008 issue of Arthritis Today 3 part series about Total Knee/Hip replacement surgery. This issue has a pull out section on exercise to do before surgery. Your public library should be able to get you a copy or send me a private message and I will send you a copy (the original is on dark blue so I hope it will copy)

Simon

 

[Skeet]

Hi, Simon. Welcome! Haven't seen you here before.

I didn't use the walker after the hospital. I was more comfortable with crutches. Only used them for 2 weeks, started going around the house without them and moved to a cane in the 3-4th week or so. Build up the arms regardless.

 

[JenniferG]

Hey skeet, remeber that feeling when you'd sneek a step or two without using the cane or crutches. Part of you thought it was too soon and you were pushing it, but the other part knew you could do it and was thrilled to try and succeed.

 

[Skeet]

For me, it was more forgetting I needed crutches, getting up and walking across the room and back, then realizing I hadn't used them! After doing that a few times, I realized I could go without. I used mine mostly to direct our dogs away from my involved knee. Their tails wag at just the right heigth to hit my knee in the most sensitive spot! I always took them to PT, and she never let me use them there, so I was off them early on.

 

[Libby]

Wow! Thanks everyone for the advise. I will have my husband dust off the old bike and bring it upstairs so I can start working. My arms are pretty strong from me pulling myself up and lowering myself down stairs. Of course they can always be stronger. I see my surgeon tomorrow and go to the hospital for some pre-op stuff. Of all times I have caught a darn cold. Sure hope it doesn't keep me from surgery. Thanks again. Libby