Knee conditioning program

This knee conditioning program should be continued for 4 to 6 weeks, unless otherwise specified by your doctor or physical therapist. After your recovery, these exercises can be continued as a maintenance program for lifelong protection and health of your knees. Performing the exercises two to three days a week will maintain strength and range of motion in your knees.

This is a general conditioning program that provides a wide range of exercises. To ensure that the program is safe and effective for you, it should be performed under your doctor’s supervision. Talk to your doctor or physical therapist about which exercises will best help you meet your rehabilitation goals.

Strength

Strengthening the muscles that support your knee will reduce stress on your knee joint. Strong muscles help your knee joint absorb shock.

Flexibility

Stretching the muscles that you strengthen is important for restoring range of motion and preventing injury. Gently stretching after strengthening exercises can help reduce muscle soreness and keep your muscles long and flexible.

Target Muscles

The muscle groups targeted in this conditioning program include:
• Quadriceps (front of the thigh)
• Hamstrings (back of the thigh)
• Abductors (outer thigh)
• Adductors (inner thigh)
• Gluteus medius and gluteus maximus (buttocks)

Source Rehabilitation Exercise and Conditioning Handouts in American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons AAOS