Knee Arthroscopy Rehabilitation

Surgeries are always associated with pain and discomfort and arthroscopic surgery is no exception to it. Knee arthroscopic rehabilitation provides help and aid to people going through this phase by providing faster and effective recovery programs.

What is arthroscopy?

Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure by which an endoscope is inserted into a joint specifically knee for diagnosis and/or treatment through a small incision.

Need of rehabilitation after knee arthroscopic surgery

Proper systematic care need to be taken after arthroscopic surgery to facilitate faster recovery and returning to normalcy. Arthroscopic knee rehabilitation provides all the necessary assistance to make this process easier. The knee arthroscopy rehab generally consists of several exercise programs, these exercises may not be the same for total knee replacement rehab.

Exercises for knee arthroscopy rehabilitation

Knee arthroscopic rehabilitation exercise program generally includes a regimen of exercises for 20-30 minutes that should be done 3-5 times a day. Patient may also be advised to engage in a walking program. This would depend on the overall health of the patient.

1. Initial exercises

   • Hamstring contraction (repetition 8-10 times): Patient is asked to lie with knees bent to about 10 degrees. Patient is then asked to pull the heel into the floor tightening the muscles on the back of the thigh. Patient has to hold that position for five seconds and release.

   • Straight leg rising (repetition 4-6 times): Patient is asked to lie on the back with his operative knee flat and straight. The uninvolved knee must be kept bent with foot flat on the floor. The patient is then asked to raise the operative leg about 6 inches from the floor keeping the leg as straight as he can. The patient has to hold the position for 5-7 seconds and then lower the leg slowly.

   • Quadriceps setting (repetition 5 times): The patient is asked to lie straight on his back with knees straight. The patient is then asked to tighten the muscles on the top of the thigh (quadriceps), and at the same time push the back of the knee down on the floor and raise the heel. The patient has to hold the position for 5 seconds and then relax.

2. Intermediate exercises (performed along with initial exercises)

   • Partial squat (repetition 10-12 times): Holding a chair the patient is asked to bend his knee and lower his body with back straight. The patient should not bend all the way down and not go any lower than 90 degrees. The patient has to hold the position for 5-10 seconds and then relax.

   • Quadriceps stretch - standing (repetition 4-6 times): The patient is asked to stand on 1 leg with the involved knee bent. The patient is then asked to pull the heel towards buttocks such that he feels a stretch at the front of the leg. The patient has to hold the position for 5-10 seconds and then relax.

3. Advanced exercises (performed along with initial and intermediate exercises)

   • Step ups (repetition 10 times): The patient is asked to step up onto a 6 inch high stool, leading with the operated knee. Patient is then asked to slowly return to starting position. With increase in strength the height of the tool can be increased.

   • Terminal knee extension (repetition 10 times): While sitting in a chair and the heel on a stool, patient is asked to straighten his knee and hold it for 5 seconds. Patient is then asked to slowly return to starting position.

The patient should make sure that these exercises are performed only in consultation with a doctor and one should not over strain the knee while performing any of these activities.

Unless the patient had a ligament reconstruction he/she can return to most physical activities with the help of knee arthroscopy rehabilitation program. The program will also guide patients of several post rehab exercises and therapies.