exercises to get ready for surgery

[300steps]

I've been told I need knee replacement surgery. What are some exercises I can do prior to surgery that will help in the recovery process?

[Sharon]

AAOS has some good exercises. This is the website I found. You may have to go to orthoinfo.org and work your way to the knee exerciese.
http://orthoinfo.org/booklet/view_report.cfm?Thread_ID=16&topcategory=Knee
Good luck on your surgery!

[Sharon]

Here are some you may not think of:
Pre-op Exercises
Deep Breathing Exercises: You should exercise your lungs every day before surgery by inhaling deeply through your nose, then slowly exhaling through your mouth. Repeat this three times and then cough two times, every 30 minutes. These exercises are necessary to remove any excess secretions that may settle in your lungs while you are asleep during surgery.

Ankle Pumps: You should pump your ankles back and forth 1,000 times every day before your surgery. This is your best defense against blood clots.

[jglaze]

I highly suggest all kinds of stretches, quad sets, and any kinds of strengthening you can do with your muscles. You will be way ahead for recovery if you are in great shape before surgery. Be sure you have excellent range of motion because that's what you'll be working on after.

[wagongirl4]

I am scheduled for total replaccemnt of my right knee on the 19th of Sept. Scared to death YES!!!!. But id od believe that the exercises the doctor is having me do will help as it seems to have strengthened the muscles already. The are very simple. 1). Bring knee as close to chest as possible and push heel of foot downward towards your rear. Not to many at one time as it is painfull. And the constant movement of the foot back and forth and around in circles. As many years as I have been in pain, I just hope and pray that all the PT and trying to be positive will improve my life. Best wishes to all.

[Fran]

Hi:

I need my left knee replaced. I am a 72 year old lady and you talk about scared...i am really scared. I haven't found a doctor yet, because I want to change my Medical insurance. I am on a HMO and would like to go to Medicare plus United Health. It will cost much more but since I am up there in age I figure I will have many more things going on with my health.

I have been doing exercise on a stationary bike in our gym. I try to do that for 20 min. a day and then a little stretching. I hope that will help when I have the knee replaced.

Fran

[Fran]

Hello: It is me again, Fran the 72 year old lady. I did change my insurance and now I can pick any doctor I want. I went to the Core Institute and found a surgeon I like. He said that he things I should have the rt knee replaced. My appointment for the surgery is for Feb. 22, 2007.

Doe's anyone know of any exercise I can do prior to the surgery. If so, please let me know.

Thanks for listening to me.

Fran

[mary]

Hello Fran, I just want to wish you luck. I am still hemming and hawing over whether to have my hip replaced, so you are way ahead of me. I am going to a consultation tomorrow, my second. I am a big chicken. Mary

[Fran]

Hi Mary:

I guess I am a chicken also. My knee has been hurting all the time and I have been waiting. Finally found a Orthopedic Surgeon that I trust and like. I am going to a pre-op lecture on the 6th of February. Hopefully they will tell me some good things regarding the surgery.

Best of luck to you.

Fran