Preparing for Knee Replacement Surgery

Total knee replacement surgery removes damaged and painful areas of the femur and tibia, replacing them with specially designed metal and plastic parts. In order to speed up recovery time, the knee surgeons at Heartland Orthopedic Specialists suggest preparing for this procedure by performing several strengthening exercises in the weeks leading up to your knee replacement.

“Adopting a regular exercise program prior to your knee replacement can make your recovery much more manageable,” explains Dr. Dennis P. Weigel, sports medicine doctor and knee surgeon at Heartland Orthopedic Specialists. “Strengthening the muscles surrounding your knee will help you properly support your new joint.”

Dr. Weigel suggests performing the following exercises one to two times a day, every day leading up to surgery:

• Ankle Circles: While lying on your back, bend your ankles up, pulling toes toward you, then circle ankles both clockwise and counterclockwise, five times in each direction.


• Knee Bends: While sitting on a chair, bend your knee back as much as you can. Hold for five seconds, then return to the starting position and relax. Repeat five times.


• Sitting Kicks: While sitting on a chair, straighten your knee as much as possible while lifting your leg in front of your body. Hold for five seconds then slowly lower your leg and relax. Repeat five times.

If you have questions about how to prepare for your knee replacement, or if you’d like to schedule an appointment with a knee doctor at Heartland Orthopedic Specialists, call (800) 762-1177.