How to Do Range of Motion Exercises for Knee Therapy

There are several types of knee therapy exercises to help increase the range of motion of the knee joint and begin to re-strengthen the muscles that support the knee. The facilitated heel slides range of motion exercises are the movements described here. Use these exercises in the early phase of recovery after injury or surgery to work on knee flexion.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Consult with a physical therapist prior to doing any type of therapeutic exercise. This information is not meant to be a substitute for medical or therapeutic advice.

2. Lie down on a flat surface, like the floor or a firm bed. Keep both legs out straight about hip-width apart.

3. Bend the knee and slide it along the floor towards the gluteal muscles. Be sure to keep the lower back on the ground by contracting the abdominal muscles.

4. Hold the knee at the maximum range of motion point for approximately 5 seconds. Slowly slide the leg back down, extending the knee back to the starting position until it is completely straight.

5. Repeat the range of motion exercises approximately 10 times; rest in between each movement only if necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also do this range of motion knee therapy exercises with the assistance of the other leg. Use the good leg's foot underneath the foot of the weak one if the quadriceps muscles of the leg are not strong enough to do this exercise on its own.
• Always focus on proper form when you perform these exercises to reduce the risk of added injury.

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