Therapy for a Knee Injury

Knee injuries are never fun, whether they range from a slight tendon pull to a full-blown knee replacement surgery. However, rehabbing from a knee injury does not have to be that strenuous. In reality, a person can rebuild knee strength relatively easily.

  1. Start Small

    • Most therapists will advise a person overcoming a knee injury to start with simple activities to increase motion in the knee. That can be things such as putting a ball under one foot while sitting on the ground and gliding out and in. This helps build strength in that knee. The key to remember for the first weeks after the injury or surgery is to not overdo it. The main objective is restoring range of motion and strength to the knee.

    Adding Weights

    • Rebuilding the muscles around the knee should be done after a therapist gives clearance and only under supervision. Most trainers will have someone work with light weights or on other activities that build muscle. One type of exercise is to load up a leg extension machine with more weight than can be pressed and then trying to lift it. The idea is to work the muscles around the knee by exerting force, but not really moving the knee joint.

    Getting Physical

    • Most people overcoming a knee injury will quickly want to return to physical activity but can't because the knee is not strong enough. Instead, look for exercises such as swimming or bouncing on a trampoline that use the knee but limit the physical impact. Discuss with a therapist how often you should exercise while rehabbing a knee injury. The length of rehab will be based on the seriousness of the injury coupled with your age, strength and health.

    Weight Training Revisited

    • After a therapist has cleared you to return to physical activity, it is time to start training with real weights again. That means doing squats, leg extensions and presses to start building the actual muscle around the knee and in the rest of the leg. However, remember to go slowly but don't get lax. Some people may start this part of the therapy then stop because of soreness in the knee. Soreness is common during rehab, and you must work to return to normal. Not lifting will not help the knee down the road.

    Think Positively

    • Sometimes overlooked in the rehab process is mental outlook. A person who wants and believes she can get better has a better chance of recovery than someone with a negative attitude toward the process.