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Q: Arthroscopic Knee Surgery Recovery
asked by: GPR on August 14th, 2008
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Well, I had Arthroscopic Knee Surgery about a month ago. The doc told me I should be cleared to walk in a little bit less than a month later. He we are a little bit less than a month later and I don't feel like my knee is nearly strong enough to walk.

He told me to do a lot of swimming and to flatten my knee (get is straight) constantly as an exercise. He also told me to have it in constant movement because that is what makes it stronger.

Can anyone tell me what exercises I can also do to make it stronger. I have been doing these, not as much as I think I should have, but still not much improvement.

I have school starting soon and would really like to be able to walk because it would be a pain in the arse w/ all the people and what not, but that seems less likely now. I just want to be able to walk as soon as possible.

Please Help Me.
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Maddie34
replied on August 14th, 2008
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Have you been doing leg lifts?

Sit with your legs out in front of you.
Flex your knee for a moment then lift just the one leg, hold it up for a moment and slowly bring your leg back to the floor. Your leg needs to be as straight as you can get it.

If this gets easy then try adding a small weight.

I also did a lot of flexing and resting exercises, where you just flex the muscle and keep it flexed for 10-15 seconds, then rest for 10 seconds.

What other exercises have you been doing?
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GPR
replied on August 14th, 2008
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I've been doing the leg lifts, and will keep on doing them. I will try flexing it.

I've only been doing the leg lifts and swimming. The Doc said something about riding a bike though. I think it was after I could work to get the leg stronger.

Thanks a ton for your response.
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GPR
replied on August 15th, 2008
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Oh and how will I know how well it is progressing?
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rooted
replied on August 16th, 2008
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Muscle density and range of motion will indicate your progress.

Try to also use the tip of your big toe to draw the letters A-Z once per day. This will help strengthen your ankle joint and calves.
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Maddie34
replied on August 16th, 2008
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.
Yeah, I did a lot of the bike once I was able to bend my knee far enough.

Are you tracking your range of motion?-- or is that not really an issue for you? Because if you can bend and straighten comfortably then try a [stationary] bike and light weight training that focuses particularly on your quads.
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GPR
replied on August 16th, 2008
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I don't know exactly what range of motion is, but I can bend it just like my other knee with no problems. I'll try a stationary bike at the gym later today.

I was actually walking in the pool yesterday and I felt perfectly normal just that my ankle couldn't hold my weight much. I guess thats what the A-Z exercise is, I'll be doing it a lot then.

You've guys been a ton of help, thanks.
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rooted
replied on August 19th, 2008
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Sure thing! Please check back in a week or so with your progress. Maybe you can outline what you're doing each day? Like create a little calendar. That might also help keep you motivated. When I was in rehab for ACL reconstruction, that would have really helped me...!
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Maddie34
replied on August 19th, 2008
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^Same here. Good idea! Smile
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