Timing 0-2 weeks after surgery

When you leave hospital after your surgery, you may be wearing a knee brace and using crutches. Your operated leg should be completely non-weight bearing at this stage.

Any exercise undertaken should be done whilst wearing the knee brace and should be non-weight bearing at all times.

Sitting or lying on the bed

2 x 20 Reps

3 x a day

You can do this exercise either lying or sitting. But make sure to keep the leg straight from hip to ankle as you briskly 'pump' your ankle up and down. Do this 20 times, rest briefly and repeat. Work both ankles together.

Sitting or lying on the bed

2 x 20 Reps

3 x a day

You can do this exercise in bed, either sitting up or lying on your back. Stretch both legs out in front of you. Without your feet lifting from the bed, bring one foot towards your buttock to bend your knee and then straighten your leg back out again.

Sitting up in bed

2 x 20 Reps

3 x a day if pain free

You can do this exercise sitting up in bed. Straighten your leg in front of you, then tense the thigh muscles – you should feel your knee pushing down into the bed. Hold for 3 seconds and relax.

If you can achieve the goals above then you can move onto the next stage. If not then repeat this stage.