I need ideas for exercise with A dislocated knee

serenelysmiles2367

I have been using my elliptical trainer for a couple weeks now, and slowly building due to very poor endurance, and recent recovery from several pulmonary embolism. I currently have a large hernia so that anything that engages the about muscles is out of the question for me. Yesterday, I clumsily stepped on my dog's bed and slid awkwardly on a wood floor, dislocating my right knee, and am now in a leg immobilizer and on a Walker. (I know, I'm a mess). I need ideas for exercise, or something to point me in the right direction that I can do to keep moving, and motivated. Thank you in advance.

kshama2001

Oh jeez, that's awful!

I would ask my doctor for a referral to physical therapy. I've had PT twice for my knee and once for my hip, and it really beats random advice

Danp

Ouch. I feel you on multiple fronts having had both PE episodes and having dislocated my knee!

Off the top of my head, swimming would be your best bet while recovering (provided you can escape your leg brace). Once your knee is a bit better maybe rowing or cycling. With the cycling you'll need to make sure you're set up correctly at the right height. At the right height cycling is quite forgiving on the knees but too high or two low can put them under pressure (too little or to much knee extension).

Danp

Oh and make sure you see a physio for your recovery. I ended up with some NASTY grinding in my knee years after recovering from my dislocation. Turns out the injury had me favouring one quad muscle over the others. This resulted in that muscle getting stronger while the rest atrophied somewhat which caused my patella to be pulled to one side.

Took some very specific leg exercises to restore the balance so keep that in mind

Katmary71

I agree about trying to get into physical therapy, it's the best way to learn exercises and stretches that'll help. I'm more familiar with back problems but swimming is a good one, even just walking in a pool. There are chair exercises you can do on YouTube. If you have access to a gym there's a machine you sit at and pedal (like a bike) with your hands, I did this for frozen shoulder and my gym has it. Once you're doing a little better a recumbent bike is supposed to be good for knees. I bought one after my last back surgery and it's my main source of cardio. You could also do arm weight machines, free weights may be harder because of standing though there's a lot that can be done with a weight bench.

lynn_glenmont

I think you should seek medical advice before engaging in any serious physical activity, between recovering from pulmonary embolism, currently suffering from a hernia, and recovering from a dislocated knee.

BumbbleB25

Water therapy is the best at strengthing knee...fractured my knee when I was 16 and left me with a bucket flap every time it comes out of place now, my ligaments and tendons tear water makes it so much easier to recover.

scarlett_k

Swimming with a pull buoy so you're just working your arms? That's what I do mostly because I walk so much and I just prefer it now.