The Best Leg Strengthening Exercises After Surgery



Physical therapist stretching mans leg
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  • Start to build back strength
  • Improve your ability to move in bed after surgery

Working with a physical therapist (PT) to understand which leg exercises are safe for you can be an important step in getting moving again after surgery.﻿﻿

Before you start this or any other exercise program, check with your doctor to ensure that exercise is safe for you to do.

Getting Started

Initial exercises should target all the major muscles of the leg. Here are a few leg exercises to get you started on your rehab.﻿﻿

Gluteal Sets

To perform the exercise:

  1. While lying on your back, tighten your buttock muscles as if you were holding back flatulence.
  2. Hold your muscles tight for 5 seconds, and then relax.
  3. You can repeat the exercise for 10 to 15 repetitions.


Heel Slide

To perform the exercise:

  2. Slide as far as you can and hold for 5 seconds.
  3. Slowly return to the starting position and repeat again.

Short Arc Quad


  1. Lie on your back with a bolster like a towel roll or basketball underneath your knee.
  2. Slowly straighten your knee.
  3. Tighten your quad muscle on the top of your thigh.
  4. Hold this for 3 seconds, and then relax.
  5. Repeat the exercise for 10 to 15 repetitions.

Quad Set

To do the quad set:

  1. While lying on your back, try pressing the back of your knee flat against the floor.
  2. Hold for 10 seconds and release.
  3. Repeat 10 to 15 repetitions.


Straight Leg Raise

To do the straight leg raise:

  1. While lying on your back, lift your leg straight up about 12 inches off the floor.
  2. Hold for 10 seconds and slowly lower.
  3. Repeat 10 to 15 repetitions.


Hamstring Strengthening

Your hamstring muscles work to bend your knee and extend your hip backward. Keeping your hamstrings strong after injury or surgery can help you return to normal walking ability. To do the exercise:

  1. While lying on your stomach, raise your leg backward about 12 inches.
  2. Hold for 5 seconds and slowly lower.
  3. Repeat for 10 to 15 repetitions.


Physical Therapy and Home Exercise


Your PT may prescribe leg exercises much like these ones as part of your home exercise program. You may progress from simple leg exercise—like these—to more challenging advanced exercises. Don't forget the importance of working on your balance and how that can help your mobility as well.﻿﻿


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Article Sources
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  2. Madara KC, Marmon A, Aljehani M, Hunter-Giordano A, Zeni J Jr, Raisis L. Progressive rehabilitation after total hip arthroplasty: A pilot and feasibility studyInt J Sports Phys Ther. 2019;14(4):564–581.