Quadriceps exercises
Whakangungu uawhā
If you have any questions or problems with these exercises, see your physiotherapist, doctor or orthopaedic nurse.
If you're in a range of movement brace, you'll have a compression stocking under it to protect your skin. Wear the compression stocking like a sock. It shouldn't have any wrinkles in it. Remove it at night.
If you're in a brace, you can only do exercises 1 and 2.
Exercise 1
- Lie or sit on the floor or bed.
- Brace your affected knee hard into the bed.
- Try to get your toes into an upright position.
- Hold the position for 10 seconds then relax.
- Repeat 10 times.
- Do this exercise three to four times a day.
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Exercise 2
- Brace your affected knee into the bed.
- Lift your leg, keeping your knee straight and your toes upright (pointing towards the ceiling).
- Hold the position for 10 seconds then relax.
- Repeat 10 times.
- Do this exercise three to four times a day.
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Exercise 3
Don't do this exercise unless your physiotherapist tells you to.
- Place a firm roll under your thigh. For example, one or two rolled up towels.
- Lift your heel to straighten your knee and keep your toes in an upright position.
- Hold the position for 10 seconds then relax.
- Repeat 10 times.
- Do this exercise four to five times a day.
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Written by Orthopaedics Outpatients Department and Physiotherapy Department, Christchurch Hospital. Adapted by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed July 2022.
Sources
The information in this section comes from the following sources, some of which may be clinically complex or not available to the general public
Physiotherapy Department, Christchurch Hospital. Physiotherapy - Lower limb strengthening. 4 May 2021. Authorised by Clinical Manager, Physiotherapy. Ref: 2403041.
Image and embedded video sources
Exercise images provided by Medical Illustrations, Canterbury DHB. August 2022.
Page reference: 33107
Review key: HIHIL-240273
