Rehabilitation Exercises For Knee!

Rehabilitation exercises for knee osteoarthritis-

Strengthening the muscles of the thigh and lower leg is often recommended for people with osteoarthritis of the knee. Having strong muscles surrounding the joint helps to reduce the stress on the knee joint itself and also helps maintain good alignment of the knee. Maintaining flexibility is also beneficial to reduce stiffness.

Strengthening exercises:
Knee extension-

Straightening the knee against resistance will strengthen the quadriceps muscles at the front of the thigh. This can be achieved in a number of ways, including using ankle weights and resistance machines. One of the easiest ways involves using a resistance band:
The patient sits on a chair with one end of the band tied around their ankle and the other end around one of the chair legs.
The band should be taut when the knee is bent at 90 degrees. The patient straightens the knee before slowly bending it and returning the foot back to the floor.
Perform 10-15 repetitions and repeat this 2-3 times. 

Knee flexion-
Still using the resistance band:
The patient lies on the floor with the band tied around one ankle and the other end attached to something sturdy, close to the floor. The band should be taught when the knee is straight
The patient bends the knee to bring the heel towards the buttock as far as possible, and then slowly straightens the knee back again.
Perform 10-15 repetitions and repeat this 2-3 times. 

Calf raise-

Calf raises are good for strengthening the gastrocnemius muscle which is one of the two main calf muscles, but the only one which crosses the knee joint.
The patient stands with the feet should width apart and close to a wall or chair which can be held for balance if required.
The patient rises up on to the toes, keeping the knees straight, before slowly lowering the heels back to the floor.
Perform 10-15 repetitions and repeat this 2-3 times.
This exercise can be progressed by performing on one leg only. 

Squats-
Squats are really good exercises for strengthening all the main muscle groups of the legs and buttocks. They can start off as very shallow movements and progress until the knees reach a 90-degree angle at which point weights can be added.
The patient stands with the feet shoulder width apart and back straight.
The knees are then bent as if trying to sit on a chair.
The back should remain straight and the knees should not move forward past the toes. Perform 10-15 repetitions and repeat this 2-3 times.