+27 (0)14 592 8322 | +27 (0)79 699 5712 [email protected]
Knee Exercises – Rooms

Knee Exercises – Rooms

255A Beyers Naudé Dr,
Rustenburg, 0299
Tel: +27 (0)14 592 8322
www.physiotherapy.co.za
P.O.Box 21533
Protea Park
0305
Hospitale/Hospitals
Netcare Ferncrest/Life
Peglerae/Medicare
Tel: +27 (0)14 592 8322

Knee Rehabilitation after surgery

(Anterior Cruciate Ligament reconstruction and Total Knee Replacement)

 

PROGRESSIVE EXERCISES

 

2-4 Weeks
EXERCISES SHOULD NEVER BE EXCESSIVLY PAINFULL
REPEAT ALL EXERCISES APPROXAMITALY 10 TIMES

N

1 - Active Movement

a. Hip flexion
          1. Lie down with your knee straight.
          2. Tighten your thigh (quadriceps) muscle ie pull up your knee cap.
          3. Keep leg straight at the knee and turn the heel in.
          4. Lift your leg up towards the ceiling.
          5. Hold 5-10 seconds.
b. Abduction
          1. Lie down on the healthy side.
          2. Make sure your hip and shoulder are in line.
          3. Keep your leg straight.
          4. Lift the operated leg up towards the ceiling
          5. Hold 2-5 seconds.
c. Adduction
          1. Lie down on the operated side.
          2. Cross the healthy leg up in front of the operated leg.
          3. Lift the operated leg upwards toward the ceiling.
          4. Hold 2-5 seconds.
d. Knee flexion
          1. Lie down on your stomach.
          2. Bend your knee upwards toward your buttock SLOWLY.
e. Hip extension
          1. Lie down on your stomach.
          2. Tighten/squeeze your buttocks.
          3. Lift your operated leg straight up towards the ceiling.
          4. Make sure you are not using your back muscles.
          5. Hold 2-5 seconds.
f. Calves
          1. Stand with your knees slightly bend.
          2. Push up on your toes.
          3. Slowly lower your heels.

N

2 - Static Exercises

a. Quadriceps
          1. Place the operated leg on the bed or a table.
          2. Let the healthy leg hand down.
          3. Keep your back straight.
          4. Keep the knee flat against the bed/table.
          5. Hold 20-30 seconds.
          6. Repeat only 2 times.
b. Hamstrings and Gluteus
          1. Sit with your knees 90° bend.
          2. Push your operated side’s foot gently into the ground.
          3. Tighten your buttocks.
          4. Hold 5-10 seconds.
c. VMO
          1. Sit with your operated knee bend 70°.
          2. Place your foot flat on the floor.
          3. Try to push the foot forward without moving the foot.
          4. Feel that the muscle just above and towards the middle of your knee cap tightens.
          5. Make sure that your buttock, back thigh or calves don’t tighten.
          6. Hold 5-10 seconds.
          7. When this can be done easily:
                    a. Squeeze a towel between the knees.
                    b. Repeat instructions 1-6.

N

3 - Knee range

a. Extension: Feet of bed (If your knee cannot straighten completely)
          1. Lie on your stomach.
          2. Make sure your knee is just off the bed and your thigh is supported.
          3. Place a light weight around your ankle to pull your knee straight.
          4. Hold this posisiton for 2-3 minutes.
b. Flexion: Heel ups
          1. Stand at a table.
          2. Make sure your operated leg is straight.
          3. Bend the operated knee backwards up to 90°.
          4. Slowly straighten the knee.

N

4 - Theraband exercises

a. Plantar flexion
          1. Hold the theraband around your foot.
          2. Push your foot down against the theraband.
          3. Make sure your knee does not move.
b. Inversion
          1. Hold the theraband around your foot.
          2. Moving at the ankle pull your foot inwards (toward the other foot) against the theraband.
          3. Make sure your leg does not move.
c. Eversion
          1. Put the theraband around both your feet.
          2. Moving at the ankle push the operated foot outwards against the theraband.
d. Dorsiflexion
          1. Tie the theraband infront of you.
          2. Pull your foot up towards your body against the theraband.
e. Hip abduction
          1. Stand with the theraband tied around both legs.
          2. Bend your knees slightly.
          3. Shift your weight to the operated leg.
          4. Tighten the thigh and buttock muscles on the operated side.
          5. Move your healthy leg away from the operated leg (outwards).
          6. Place your healthy leg on the ground and spread your weight 50/50.
          7. Move your healthy leg back to starting position.
          8. Make sure your operated leg stays behind your toes and does not move/give in.

N

5 - Stepping

a. Healthy leg first.
          1. On a low/small step.
          2. Keep your back straight.
          3. Step up with the healthy leg.
          4. Make sure your knee stays behind your toes.
          5. Bring your operated leg up.
          6. Step back down with your healthy leg first.
b. Operated leg
          1. Keep your back straight.
          2. Place your operated leg on the step.
          3. Keep your healthy sides toes on the floor.
          4. Put half your weight on the heel of the foot.
          5. Make sure your knee stays behind your toes.
          6. Hold 5-10 seconds.
          7. Lower the operated leg.
          8. When you can do this without any pain climb the step with your operated leg first.

4 – 6 Weeks

N

1 - VMO in standing:

a. Stand with the operated leg slightly forward.
b. Bend the knee 40°.
c. Keep the knee in line with the toes.
d. Keep your foot flat on the floor.
e. Try to push the foot forward without moving the foot.
f. Feel that the muscle just above and towards the middle of your knee cap tightens.
g. Make sure that your buttock, back thigh or calves don’t tighten.
h. Hold 5-10 seconds.
i. As your balance improves start placing more weight on the operated leg.

N

2 - Wall squats

a. Stand with your back against the wall.
b. Make sure your toes face forward and your feet are hip width apart.
c. Keep your knees in line with your toes.
d. Tighten your buttocks and hamstring muscles.
e. Keep them tight as you slowly bend your knees and slide down the wall into the squat position.
f. DO NOT BEND MORE THAN 40°.
g. Push up, placing most of your weight on your heels.
h. Do not straighten your knees completely.

N

3 - Cycle

a. If you have a stationary bike at home you may bike with a LOW RESISTANCE.
b. Set the height of the saddle so that your leg can straighten, but not completely.
c. Step with your heel, not your toes.
d. Keep a steady rhythm.
e. You may progress the time but not the resistance.

6 – 9 Weeks

N

1 - Cycle

a. On a stationary bike.
b. Medium resistance.
c. Make sure the sadle is not to high.

N

2 - Walk on a treadmill

a. No incline.
b. Slow speed.

N

3 - Proprioception and stability

a. Floor balance
          1. Stand on your healthy leg for 10-15 seconds.
          2. Now stand on your operated leg for 10-15 seconds.
b. Balance board
          1. Stand with both legs evenly spaced on the balance board. Keep your eyes open. Keep your balance for 10-15 seconds.
          2. Stand with your healthy leg on the balance board. Keep your eyes open. Keep your balance for 10- 15 seconds.
          3. Now stand with your operated leg on the balance board. Keep your eyes open. Keep your balance for 7-10 seconds.
          4. Repeat steps 1-3 with your eyes closed.
          5. Then repeat steps 1-3 and try to throw/catch a ball.
c. Exercise mats or half balls
          1. Repeat/progress the same as with a) balance boards.
d. Trampoline
          1. Repeat/progress the same as with a) balance boards and b) exercise mats.
e. Rhythmic stabilisation
          1. While standing on the balance board or mats.
          2. Loop the theraband around your waist.
          3. Try to keep your position while your therapist/partner tries to pull you sideways, backwards or forwards by pulling gently on the                           theraband.

N

4 - Theraband

a. Do all exercises with both legs.
b. The leg taking the weight must always be slightly bend.
c. Hip flexion
          1. Tie the theraband in a loop around the leg of a bed/table.
          2. Bend the knee slightly.
          3. Stand with the theraband behind you.
          4. Move your leg forward.
          5. Make sure you move at the hip not at the knee.
d. Hip adduction
          1. Tie the theraband in a loop around the leg of a bed/table.
          2. Keep the leg straight.
          3. Stand with the exercising side closest to the theraband.
          4. Move it against the rubber towards and infront of the other leg.
e. Hip abduction
          1. Tie the theraband in a loop around the leg of a bed/table.
          2. Keep the leg straight.
          3. Move the leg outwards against the theraband.
          4. Later try walking sideways against the theraband.
f. Knee flexion
          1. Tie the theraband around both legs.
          2. Stand straight with your leg hanging straight down.
          3. Bend your knee backwards against the rubber. (ie heel up).
g. Crawling position
          1. If this position is painfull for you, rest your upperbody/chest on the bed in order to take some weight off your knees.
          2. Tie the theraband around your thighs.
          3. Move your knee outwards as far as possible keeping the knee bend.
h. Hip extension
         1. Do this exercise in the following positions.
                   a. Lying on your side.
                   b. Standing up straight.
                   c. Supporting your upperbody/chest on a bed.
         2. Tie the theraband around your legs or loop it around the bed.
         3. Move your leg backwards against the theraband.
         4. Make sure you are moving at the hip not the knee.
i. Foot exercises
         1. Same as week 2-4.

N

5 - Exercise ball

a. Bridging
          1. Place both feet on the ball.
          2. Bend your knees.
          3. Tighten your stomach and buttocks.
          4. Lift your hips.
          5. Now repeat steps 1-4 with only one leg on the ball.
b. Hamstring pull
          1. Place both heels on the ball.
          2. Bend your knees, pulling the ball closer to your body.
          3. Straighten your knees pushing the ball away.

N

6 - Lunge – no pain or discomfort!

a. Stand with your feet together.
b. Step backwards with your operated leg.
c. Bend the knees slightly.
d. Return to starting position.
e. Now try stepping forward with your operated leg. Remember to not let your knee fall passed your toes or inwards.
f. Then try stepping sideways.

N

7 - Squats – no pain or discomfort!

a. Wall squats
          1. Stand against a wall.
          2. Flatten your back.
          3. Slide down the wall bending your knees up to 90°.
          4. Remember to keep your knees in line with your toes.
          5. Most of your weight should be on your heels, ie behind your knees.
          6. When this is comfortable move away from the wall. Start with holding onto a stable surface for balance.
b. Sit to stand
          1. Stand up and sit down on a chair.
          2. Your weight should be behind your knees, on your heels.
          3. Make sure your knee stay in line with your toes and do not pass your toes when standing up.
          4. Now try this on a exercise mat or balance board.
          5. Later try this while using only one leg.
c. One leg squat with support
          1. Stand in facing away from a chair.
          2. Place your healthy leg on the chair.
          3. Squat/bend your operated leg keeping your weight behind your knee.
          4. Make sure your knee stays in line with your toes but does not move forward passed your toes.
          5. Keep your body upright.

N

8 - Stairs – climb stairs to stregthen the knee further.

N

9 - Stepper – make sure to keep the resistance low-medium.

N

10 - Stretches

Progress weekly.
a. Hold the position for 30 secs.
b. Repeat 3 times.

9 – 12 weeks

N

1 - Step down

a. Forwards
          1. Stand on a step.
          2. Step down from the step moving your leg forward.
          3. Make sure to keep your pelvis straight.
          4. Do not let the leg fall in towards the other leg.
b. Sideways
          1. Stand on a step.
          2. Step down from the step moving your leg outwards to the side.
          3. Make sure to keep your pelvis straight.

N

2 - One leg squats

a. If you have no pain over the front of your thigh/knee.
b. Stand on one leg.
c. You may hold onto a stable surface for balance.
d. Squat/bend your knee.
e. Keep your knee in line with your toes.
f. Make sure your knee does not pass your toes.
g. Keep your pelvis straight.

N

3 - Resisted lunges/walking

a. Tie a theraband around your waist.
b. Tie it to a stable surface or let someone hold it in place.
c. Lunge as instructed week 6-9 pulling against the theraband.

N

4 - Run lightly on a trampoline

a. Do not straighten your knee when it lands.
b. Slow jog, not a sprint.

N

5 - Jumping

a. Jump lightly from one leg to the other.
b. Do not land on a straight leg.

N

6 - Stretches

Lower limb in standing: Progress weekly.
a. Hold the position for 30 secs.
b. Repeat 3 times.

14+ weeks (biokineticist)

N

1 - Agility

a. Trampoline
b. Steps
c. Direction changes
d. Plyometric exercises

(Download the complete hospital exercise guidelines document)

Knee Exercises – Rooms

Hip Exercises – Rooms

255A Beyers Naudé Dr,
Rustenburg, 0299
Tel: +27 (0)14 592 8322
www.physiotherapy.co.za
P.O.Box 21533
Protea Park
0305
Hospitale/Hospitals
Netcare Ferncrest/Life
Peglerae/Medicare
Tel: +27 (0)14 592 8322

Hip Rehabilitation after surgery

(Total Hip Replacement)

 

PROGRESSIVE EXERCISES

 

2-4 Weeks
EXERCISES SHOULD NEVER BE EXCESSIVLY PAINFULL
REPEAT ALL EXERCISES APPROXAMITALY 10 TIMES
N

1 - Calf Raises

a. Stand with your knees slightly bend.
b. Push up on your toes.
c. Slowly lower your heels.
d. Once this is comfortable try with one leg.
N

2 - Hamstring exercises

a. Hamstring curls
          1. Lie down on your stomach.
          2. Bend your knee upwards toward your buttock SLOWLY.
b. Heel-ups
          1. Stand at a table.
          2. Make sure your operated leg is straight.
          3. Bend the operated knee backwards up to 90°.
          4. Slowly straighten the knee.
N

3 - Straightening

a. Marching
          1. Stand close to a stable surface.
          2. Lift your knees alternatively as high as possible.
          3. Ie. March on the spot
b. Wall squats 1
          1. Stand with your back against the wall.
          2. Make sure your toes face forward and your feet are hip width apart.
          3. Keep your knees in line with your toes.
          4. Tighten your buttocks and hamstring muscles.
          5. Keep them tight as you slowly bend your knees and slide down the wall into the squat position.
          6. DO NOT BEND MORE THAN 40°.
          7. Push up, placing most of your weight on your heels.
          8. Do not straighten your knees completely.
N

4 - Stepping

a. Healthy leg first.
          1. On a low/small step.
          2. Keep your back straight.
          3. Step up with the healthy leg.
          4. Make sure your knee stays behind your toes.
          5. Bring your operated leg up.
          6. Step back down with your healthy leg first.
          7. Later: attempt climbing the step sideways.
b. Operated leg
          1. Keep your back straight.
          2. Place your operated leg on the step.
          3. Keep your healthy sides toes on the floor.
          4. Put half your weight on the heel of the foot.
          5. Make sure your knee stays behind your toes.
          6. Hold 5-10 seconds.
          7. Lower the operated leg.
          8. When you can do this without any pain climb the step with your operated leg first.
          9. Later: attempt climbing the step sideways.
4 – 6 Weeks
N

1 - Abduction

a. Lie down on the healthy side.
b. Make sure your hip and shoulder are in line.
c. Keep your leg straight.
d. Lift the operated leg up towards the ceiling
e. Hold 2-5 seconds.
N

2 - One leg balance

a. Stand on your healthy leg. Keep your eyes open. Attempt to keep your balance for 1 minute.Repeat 3 times.
b. Now stand on your painfull leg. Keep your eyes open. Attempt to keep your balance for 1 minute. Repeat 3 times.
c. Repeat steps 1-2 with your eyes closed.
N

3 - Squats – no pain or discomfort!

a. Wall squats 2
          1. Stand against a wall.
          2. Flatten your back.
          3. Slide down the wall bending your hips and knees up to 90°.
          4. Remember to keep your knees in line with your toes.
          5. Most of your weight should be on your heels, ie behind your knees.
          6. When this is comfortable move away from the wall. Start with holding onto a stable surface for balance.
b. Sit to stand
          1. Stand up and sit down on a chair.
          2. Your weight should be behind your knees, on your heels.
          3. Make sure your knee stay in line with your toes and do not pass your toes when standing up.
          4. Now try this on a exercise mat or balance board.
          5. Later try this while using only one leg.
7+ Weeks
N

1 - Walking program

a. Start with walking 500m daily.
b. Increase daily to improve cardiovascular fitness.
c. Please remember no treadmill walking as it causes increased compression on the joints.
N

2 - Theraband

a. Do all exercises with both legs.
b. The leg taking the weight must always be slightly bend.
c. Hip flexion
          1. Tie the theraband in a loop around the leg of a bed/table.
          2. Bend the knee slightly.
          3. Stand with the theraband behind you.
          4. Move your leg forward.
          5. Make sure you move at the hip not at the knee.
d. Hip abduction
          1. Tie the theraband in a loop around the leg of a bed/table.
          2. Keep the leg straight.
          3. Move the leg outwards against the theraband.
          4. Later try walking sideways against the theraband.
e. Knee flexion
          1. Tie the theraband around both legs.
          2. Stand straight with your leg hanging straight down.
          3. Bend your knee backwards against the rubber. (ie heel up).
3+ months (biokineticist)

You may start gym exercises with your biokineticist.
Please avoid running, jogging, jumping rope, plyometrics and other high impact activities.

(Download the complete hospital exercise guidelines document)

Knee Exercises – Rooms

Shoulder Exercises – Rooms

255A Beyers Naudé Dr,
Rustenburg, 0299
Tel: +27 (0)14 592 8322
www.physiotherapy.co.za
P.O.Box 21533
Protea Park
0305
Hospitale/Hospitals
Netcare Ferncrest/Life
Peglerae/Medicare
Tel: +27 (0)14 592 8322

Shoulder Rehabilitation after Rotator Cuff surgery

 

PROGRESSIVE EXERCISES

 

EXERCISES SHOULD NEVER BE EXCESSIVLY PAINFULL
REPEAT ALL EXERCISES APPROXAMITALY 10 TIMES

2 – 4 Weeks

N

1 - Passive flexion: (This excersice will improve the forward movement of the
shoulder).

a. Lie down comfortably on your back.
b. Fold both forearms across your chest, hold each elbow with the opposite hand.
c. Slowly lift both your arms away from the body opening up the armpits.
d. The healthy arm must do all the work, while the operated arm should just relax.

N

2 - Passive abduction: (This excersice will improve the outward movement of the shoulder).

a. Lie down comfortably on your back.
b. Keep your arm as straight as possible.
c. Walk/Crawl outwards with your hand to open up your armpit.

N

3 - Passive external rotation: (This excersice will improve the rotation of the shoulder).

a. Lie down comfortably on your back.
b. Bend your elbow 90°.
c. Allow gravity to just let the arm fall away from the body.
d. When this is comfortable:
          1. Hold a stick in both hands.
          2. Use the stick to gently push the hand further.

N

4 - Hot pack for pain and muscle spasm.

a. Put a hotpack on the affected muscles for up to 20 min.
b. Do not over heat the hotpack.
c. Be carefull not to burn.

4 – 6 Weeks
THESE EXERCISES WILL PROGRESS YOUR PREVIOUS EXERCISES
N

1 - Active assisted flexion:

a. Wall crawls.
          1. Stand infront of a wall.
          2. Place both hands on the wall.
          3. Use your fingers to crawl as high as possible up the wall.
          4. When you cannot crawl higher:
                    a. Try to put your elbows against the wall.
                    b.Try to touch the wall with your forehead
          5. Guide your arm down with your healthy hand.
b. Pulley 1.
          1. Use a small pulley and rope attatched above your head. If you do not have this improvise using a towel/rope/tie over a                                          rail/beam/branch.
          2. Use your healthy hand to pull the operated arm up as high as possible in front of you.
          3. Repeat this up and down movement.

N

2 - Active assisted abduction:

a. Table top/Window sill:
          1. Stand an arms length away from a table or window sill facing sideways.
          2. Rest your hand on the table.
          3. Slowly bend your knees in order to open up the armpit as far as possible.
          4. Slowly stand up.
b. Pulley 2.
          1. Use a small pulley and rope attatched above your head. If you do not have this improvise using a towel/rope/tie over a
              rail/beam/branch.
          2. Use your healthy hand to pull the operated arm up as high as possible away from your side.
          3. Repeat this up and down movement.

N

3 - Active assisted external rotation against wall:

a. Stand close to a wall. Face away from the wall.
b. Push your operated sides shoulder blade, buttock and elbow flat against the wall.
c. Bend your elbow 90°.
d. Use a stick to gently push your hand towards the wall.

N

4 - Hand behind back (HBB):

Always progress in the following order and only advance to the next exercise if possible without severe pain.

a. First touch your buttock on the same side as your operated arm.
b. Then touch the opposite buttock.
c. Then try to move your hand up to the small of your back
d. Then try to move your hand up inbetween your shoulder blades.
e. Now hold a towel behind your back and pull the hand up higher.

N

5 - Scapula retraction: (Pulling back shoulder blades)

a. Lie on your stomach.
b. Keep your arms at your sides.
c. Lift your shoulder blades up towards the ceiling and down to the buttocks.
d. Hold this position for 10 seconds.

6+ Weeks

N

1 - Light stretches: Progress weekly.

a. Hold the position for 30 secs.
b. Repeat 3 times.

N

2 - Active movement.

a. Flexion
          1. Short arm/chicken wing: bend your elbow and move your arm forward.
          2. Straight arm: keeping your arm straight move your arm forward.
b. Abduction
          1. Short arm/chicken wing: bend your elbow and move your arm outward.
          2. Straight arm: keeping your arm straight move your arm outward.

N

3 - Hand behind head.

a. Put your hand behind your head as if you are washing/brushing your hair.
b. Move your hand further down towards your neck.

N

4 - Scapula retraction: (Pulling back shoulder blades).

e. Lie on your stomach.
f. Keep your arms at your sides.
g. Lift your shoulder blades up towards the ceiling and down to the buttocks.
h. Lift your hand upwards toward the ceiling.
i. Hold this position for 10 seconds.

N

5 - Theraband exercises: NB both sides!

a. Flexion
          1. Tie the theraband to a door handle. Close the door.
          2. Face away from the door.
          3. Hold on to the other end.
          4. Slowly move your arm forwards to roughly 45°.
b. Extension
          1. Face the door.
          2. Hold on to the other end.
          3. Slowly move your arm backwards to roughly 45°.
c. Abduction
          1. Turn so that the healthy shoulder is closest to the door.
          2. Hold on to the other end.
          3. Slowly move your arm outwards to roughly 45°.
d. Adduction
          1. Turn so that the operated shoulder is closest to the door.
          2. Hold on to the other end.
          3. Slowly move your arm inwards to roughly 45°.
e. External rotation.
          1. Turn so that the healthy shoulder is closest to the door.
          2. Hold on to the other end.
          3. Bend your elbow 90°.
          4. Slowly turn your arm outwards as far as possible without your elbow leaving your side. (If you struggle with this keep a small towel                    between the elbow and your body.)
f. Internal rotation
          1. Turn so that the operated shoulder is closest to the door.
          2. Hold on to the other end.
          3. Bend your elbow 90°.
          4. Slowly turn your arm flat against your body without your elbow leaving your side. (If you struggle with this keep a small towel                              between the elbow and your body.)
g. Scapula setting
           1. Hold the theraband behind your back.
           2. Keep your hands close together.
           3. Gently pull on the theraband apart while taking your hands slightly down and backwards.

(Download the complete hospital exercise guidelines document)

Knee Exercises – Rooms

Back Surgery Exercises – Rooms

255A Beyers Naudé Dr,
Rustenburg, 0299
Tel: +27 (0)14 592 8322
www.physiotherapy.co.za
P.O.Box 21533
Protea Park
0305
Hospitale/Hospitals
Netcare Ferncrest/Life
Peglerae/Medicare
Tel: +27 (0)14 592 8322

Lumbar Surgery

(Decompression, Fusion, Prosthesis, Laminectomy)

 

PROGRESSIVE EXERCISES

 

Do these exercises exactly as your physio prescribed.
Do not skip ahead to the next exercise until you have the permission of your physio.
Exercises should be done on both sides.

N

1 - Leg Stretches

a. Gluteus 1
b. Gluteus 2
c. Piriformis
d. Hamstring stretches

N

2 - Nerve tissue mobility

a. Lie down on your back.
b. Bend one knee as far as possible.
c. Hold your leg up with your hands behind your knee.
d. Your hip should be about 90° bend.
e. Gently straighten the knee upwards until you feel a gentle stretch.
f. Make sure that your thigh does not move.
g. Move your leg up and down 20 times.

N

3 - Straight leg raise

a. Lie down on your back.
b. Bend one knee up.
c. Lift the other leg straight up towards the ceiling.
d. Make sure your toes stay upright.
e. SLOWLY lower your leg.

N

4 - Core Activation

a. Lie down on your back.
b. Bend both knees up.
c. Press your back flat against the bed.
d. Try to move your belly button up towards your neck and in towards your spine.
e. Hold for 5-10 seconds.

N

5 - Bridging

a. Lie down on your back.
b. Bend both knees up.
c. Press your back flat as with exercise 4.
d. SLOWLY lift your buttock towards the ceiling.

N

6 - Active Range of Motion: start all ex’s with the brace on. Once comfortable repeat without the
brace.

a. Flexion
          1. Place your hands on your thighs.
          2. Slowly slide your hands down towards your knees.
          3. Hold for 3-5 seconds.
          4. Slowly use your hands to climb back up.
b. Extension
          1. Stand close to a stable surface.
          2. Bend slightly backwards.
          3. Return to the upright posisiton.
c. Side flexion
          1. Place your hands at your sides.
          2. Slowly slide your left hand down to your left knee.
          3. Hold for 3-5 seconds.
          4. Slowly return to the upright position.
          5. Repeat to your right.

N

7 - Once you have pain free range of motion you may start with more advanced
core exercises. Please ask your physio to assist you with this.

(Download the complete hospital exercise guidelines document)

Knee Exercises – Rooms

Neck Surgery Exercises – Rooms

255A Beyers Naudé Dr,
Rustenburg, 0299
Tel: +27 (0)14 592 8322
www.physiotherapy.co.za
P.O.Box 21533
Protea Park
0305
Hospitale/Hospitals
Netcare Ferncrest/Life
Peglerae/Medicare
Tel: +27 (0)14 592 8322

Cervical Surgery

(Decompression, Fusion, Prosthesis)

 

PROGRESSIVE EXERCISES

 

N

Shoulder Stretches

a. Progress weekly.
b. Hold the position for 30 secs.
c. Repeat 3 times

N

Shoulder blade stability

a. Hold the theraband behind your back.
b. Keep your hands close together.
c. Gently pull on the theraband apart while taking your hands slightly down and backwards.

N

Nerve tissue mobility

a. Sit with good posture.
b. Stretch your arm out to the side, opening up your armpit to 90°.
c. Keep your elbow straight.
d. Turn your arm so that your palm faces up.
e. Bend your wrist up and down slowly.

N

Static strengthening

  1. Neck flexion
    1. Sit with good posture.
    2. Place your palm on your forehead.
    3. Gently press your head forward while your hand blocks the movement.
    4. Hold 5-7 seconds.
  2. Neck extension
    1. Sit with good posture.
    2. Place your palm on your forehead.
    3. Gently press your head forward while your hand blocks the movement.
    4. Hold 5-7 seconds.
  3. Neck rotation
    1. Sit with good posture.
    2. Place your palm on your chin.
    3. Gently press your chin towards your shoulder while your hand blocks the movement.
    4. Hold 5-7 seconds.
  4. Neck side flexion
    1. Sit with good posture.
    2. Place your palm just above your head.
    3. Gently press your ear towards your shoulder while your hand blocks the movement.
    4. Hold 3-5 seconds.
N

Deep Neck flexors

a. Lie on your back.
b. Set your shoulder blades, the same movement as in exercise 2.
c. Tuck your chin in, pulling the top of your head upwards toward
the ceiling ie make a double chin.
d. Hold for 5-10 seconds.
e. When this is comfortable, try in sitting.

N

Neck mobility – do not force movement into pain.

  1. Upper Neck flexion
    1. Sit with good posture.
    2. Tucking your chin in. (See example #5 in .pdf below)
    3. Slowly return to starting position.
  2. Upper Neck extension
    1. Sit with good posture.
    2. Push your chin forward as far as possible.
    3. Slowly return to starting position.
  3. Lower Neck flexion
    1. Sit with good posture.
    2. Look down tucking your chin towards your chest.
    3. Slowly return to starting position.
  4. Lower Neck extension
    1. Sit with good posture.
    2. Look up towards the ceiling.
    3. Make sure not to turn or bend your neck sideways.
    4. Slowly return to starting position.
  5. Neck rotation
    1. Sit with good posture.
    2. Turn your chin towards your shoulder.
    3. Slowly return to starting position.
  6. Neck side flexion
    1. Sit with good posture.
    2. Move your ear closer to your shoulder.
    3. Slowly return to starting position.

(Download the complete hospital exercise guidelines document)

Important!

All neck surgery patients require physiotherapy after dicharge from the hospital, to prevent post-operative
complications and failure of surgery.

  • You will need 2-3 sessions/ week. Please phone the practice for an appointment ASAP.