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Rehabilitation

Knee replacement exercises

05/03/2006

Question:

How important is it to strengthen the thigh muscles BEFORE having a knee replacement operation?

On a scale of one to five please. I am 76, and get around on my legs normally for my age. I ask physcial therapists about this here where I live, and they do not seem to me to be overly concerned about me doing any exercises to strengthen my thighs. I want to make my recovery as fruitful as possible.

Answer:

This is useful, but not frequently done. As a rehabilitation specialist, I would recommend it to begin instruction with a physical therapist. I would say many insurers allow this infrequently, however I regard this as important [say a 4]. I would want me or my family to do a visit to PT preoperatively, even if I have to pay privately.

Jonathan R Strayer, MD
Chief, Dept PM&R
Manager, Rehab Care Line
Cincinnati VA Medical Center

For more information:

Go to the Rehabilitation health topic, where you can:

Response by:

Stephen J Page, PhD Stephen J Page, PhD
Director of Research, Associate Professor
Drake Center
University of Cincinnati