Above-Knee Amputation: Exercises for Strength and Range of Motion

Rehabilitation Home Program

Name _______________________________________________ Date _________________

Therapist ______________________________________ Phone number _________________

After your surgery

These exercises will:

Reducepainandincreasebloodflow. Thishelpsyourlimbtoheal.

Increasemusclestrength,soyoucanmovemoreeasilyonyourown.

Keepyourmusclesflexible(ableto bendeasily).

Instructions

Dotheseexerciseswithyourresiduallimb(thelegthathadsurgery).

Useslowandcontrolledmovements.

Neverholdyourbreathwhenyouexercise.

Exerciseonyourbed,unlessyourtherapistasksyoutolieonthefloor.

Tomakeexercisesharder,slowlyincreasethenumberofrepetitions.

Workhard,butstaywithinyourlevelofcomfort.Youmayfeelyourmusclesstretch.Exercisesshouldnotcausesharppain.

How often to exercise

Dotheseexercises:_______________________________________________________

Special instructions____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you are deaf or hard of hearing, please let us know. We provide many free services including sign language interpreters, oral interpreters, TTYs, telephone amplifiers, note takers and written materials.

3 Limb lifts: Lying on back (hip flexion)

Lieonyourbackwithbothlegsflat.Liftyourlimbasclosetothechestasyoucan.Returntostartingposition.

Repeat_____times.

Limb press (hip extension)

Lieonyourback.Placeasmallrolledtowelunderyourlimb.

Tightenthemusclesinyourbuttocks,pressingyourlimbdown intotheroll.Holdfor5seconds.

Repeat_____times.

4 Limb slides (hip abduction and adduction)

Lieonyourbackwithbothlegsflat.Slideyourlimbout tothesideatfarasyoucan.Returntostartingposition.

Repeat_____times.

Hip strengthening (isometric hip abduction and adduction)

Lieonyourback.Placearolledtowel betweenyourthighs.Placeabeltor straparoundyourthighs.

Pressyourthighsoutagainstthebelt orstrap.Holdfor5seconds.Relax.

Then,squeezethetowel. Holdfor5seconds.Relax.

Repeat_____times.

5 Thigh stretch (hip flexor stretch)

Lieonyourbackwithbothlegsclosetoyourchest. Holdyourfulllegasyouloweryourlimbtothesurface. Youwillfeelastretchatthefrontofyourthighandhip. Holdfor_____seconds.

Repeat_____times.

Buttocks squeeze (gluteal sets)

Lieonyourbackwithbothlegsflat. Slowly tighten the muscles in your buttocks,squeezingthecheeks together.Hold5seconds.

Repeat_____times.

6 Single leg bridge on full leg (unilateral hip extension bridge)

Bendyourfulllegsoyourfootisflatonthefloororbed. Pressyourheelintothebedandliftyourbuttocksusingyourlimb. Keepyourhipslevelasyoulift.

Holdfor____seconds.Then,slowlyreturntostartingposition.

Repeat_____times.

Limb lifts: Lying on side (side-lying hip abduction)

Lieonthesideofyourfullleg.Liftyourlimb,keeping itinlinewithyourbody.Then,slowlyreturntostartingposition.

Repeat_____times.

7 Limb lifts: Lying on stomach (prone hip extension)

Lieonyourstomach.Yourhipsshouldbeflatagainstthefloororbed.

Lift your limb up toward the ceilingasfarasyoucan. Then,slowlyloweryourlimb.

Repeat_____times.

Chair push-ups (triceps push-ups)

Sitinachairwithelbowsbent. Placeyourhandsonthearmsofthechair.

Straighten your elbows to lift yourselfupfromthechair. Holdfor5seconds.Then, slowlyreturntostartingposition.

Repeat_____times.

For informational purposes only. Not to replace the advice of your health care provider. Copyright 2009 Fairview Health Services. All rights reserved. SMARTworks 521078 02/10.

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