According to my literature review (study 1 and 2), the range of flexion required to do daily activities is as follows: 0-2 weeks 65 to 90 degrees – This amount of flexion allows you to walk without assistance, stand, and do some stair climbing. Each person will have knee surgery for different reasons and experience successes and challenges during each person’s recovery. Connected Health Challenge, and more. Slowly straighten your leg by lifting your foot while keeping the back of your knee on the rolled towel. This website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Affiliate Program, which offers a means for websites to earn advertising fees by linking products to Amazon.com. I see my patients back at 6 weeks to check their motion specifically. You can also exercise both ankles at the same time. Fortunately, I was able to ride a bike and a stationary bike without pain. I did all of her assigned workouts first including intense flexion exercises that encouraged me to flex and straighten my knee. 860.679.6645 860.679.2105 Thomas DeBerardino, M.D. Did you know the human head weighs 8 pounds? After my last formal physical therapy session, I measured 125 degrees. During my first offsite physical therapy session I measured 113 degrees. The expected range of motion after knee replacement is 0 degrees of knee extension to at least 115 degrees of flexion or greater, but this can take several weeks or months to achieve. How to Relieve Mid Back Pain. A fully bent knee will max out at about a full range of motion of 135° degrees of flexion. Hi I’m Ken. 125°+ covers most activities. My doctor was very encouraging and told me that after knee replacement surgery I might improve the range of motion in my knee. Here’s the approximate range of motion flexion required for everyday activities: In a study conducted with 108 total knee arthroplasty patients, the mean postoperative active flexion was 111°. This is a range of motion exercise that strengthens thigh and improve movement. After Total Knee Replacement Postoperative Instructions Robert Arciero, M.D. Patients who get between 128 and 132 degrees of knee flexion seem to … But about half of all people who have knee replacement surgery say they don’t like the feeling when they kneel. Become part of the PeerWell community on social media. Learn More. However, squatting or sitting on your heel may always prove challenging. They are great and convenient to use immediately after your physical rehabilitation. Pro Tip: People who’ve suffered from chronic pain or range of motion limitations are often scared to fully flex their joint. 860.679.6692 860.679.8384 UConn Musculoskeletal Institute Avon Medical Office Southington Medical Office 263 Farmington Avenue 2 Simsbury Road 1115 West Street Farmington, CT 06030 Avon, CT 06001 … We love telling people about what we're doing! What makes this problem so frustrating for some, as we will see in the research below, is that there does not seem to be a consistent reason why people who should be able to kneel after knee replacement cannot. 3-12 weeks 125 degrees is great, 135 degrees is excellent (whether you have had TKR or not). Performing daily activities (i.e. Water therapy lets patients work on their range of motion through leg exercises, stretching, and even jogging—all inside a swimming pool. Lie on your back with a rolled towel under your knee, Slowly straighten your surgical knee by lifting your foot up while keeping your knee on the rolled towel. Don’t forget to check out my eBook! Focus on attaining that level first, then as you recover you can try to improve upon it. Try and build strength and movement in your joint before surgery. With PeerWell’s ReHab program, you can track and measure your ROM at home for the first time ever. After my knee surgery it was time to get to work. Hold for a few seconds, then slide your foot forward. You can move just your surgical side or move both ankles at once. To go from having ~120 degrees knee flexion (roughly heel to … It coincided with reduced swelling as well. Dr. Nicholas Frisch, M.D., OS, MBA is an award-winning orthopedic surgeon based out of Rochester, Michigan. We asked 75 patients (100 knees) at least six months after routine uncemented primary total knee replacement, to comment on and to demonstrate their ability to kneel. He said that one of the best indicators of your range of motion after knee surgery would be the range of motion before surgery. @ ozziegee Sorry to hear that after so long you haven’t progressed beyond 90 degrees. I made the big decision to have knee replacement and I haven’t looked back. One of the problems encountered after knee replacement is the patient’s inability to kneel. It was painful to walk and put weight on the knee. Be optimistic and be prepared to work hard during recovery. Most knee replacements have movement ranging from 0 degrees to 110 degrees or more. During my first in-home therapy session (3 days post-surgery) the therapist did measure both my flexion and my ability to straighten my knee. It’s absolutely, positively imperative that you supplement classes with an at-home guided ReHab program. Most major cities in the US have a water therapy (sometimes called “pool” or “aquatic therapy”) center. 2-6 weeks 115 degrees – now you should be able to move around normally. Easiest Way To Increase Knee Bend At Home After A Total Knee Replacement Sitting – Real Patient. A fully bent knee will max out at about (full range of motion) at approximately 135 degrees. In fact, one of the best indicators of your knee range of motion after surgery is your ROM before surgery.