My surgeon wants me going to the gym 5 days a week. What kinds of exercises is anybody doing besides leg presses and elliptical?
Gym ball wall squats, exercise bike, hamstring curl, leg lifts and various stretches, step ups and other core body stuff as its not only our legs our core body and balance needs re-educating. My walking and posture has really improved since going 3 times a week - I was told to avoid leg press for a while as can dislocate so only do them on a light weight and with supervision - tendency to use the other leg which then starts aching. Good for mental health as well. I only do 30 minutes x 3 sessions a week and 10 mins a day at home but its enough.
Quads and calves need stretching and strengthening to help your knee feel normal
Darla. Is that the best advice your surgeon can provide? Surely not. What you need is good advice from a physiotherapist not just some generic so-called advice that could easily result in damage to your knee. Have you had an operation, are you preparing for an operation or is the "advice" aimed at avoiding the need for an operation. Was this a private consultation or with an NHS consultant? Go back to the consultant and ask for physiotherapy support and an exercise program that is designed for you and your knee problem. For your own sake do not go it alone with the exercise. You will hurt yourself and live to regret it. Take care and best wishes.
Have you had your operation and if so how many weeks are you post op. You need to take it easy to start with, doing simple exercises including walking, raising leg exercises etc and you should have been given sheets with these exercises on. I was 3-4 weeks post op and started on an exercise bike, but haven't been to the GYM yet.
Have you always been that active. Or do you have an active surgeon. I tend to agree with Caroline. Three days a week and at home therapy should be enough.
Ultimately it should be our own decision with guidance from professionals. Physio has a saying. "Let Your Pain Be Your Guide!"
Hi Coroline, how long post op were you before you started the gym. I'm having a hard start this time. This is my second TKA and I'm 13 days post op. My pain was a little difficult to get under control. It is better now. I'm just starting hospital to home exercise. I start Phsio next week. I'm defiantly shy of the pain so am procrastinating.