Ankle pumps
Pump the feet up and down to keep the blood moving.
- 10 times
- Every hour
Should feel: The calf working Should not feel: Calf pain or swelling — tell us
Home / Patient library / Exercise sheets / Sheet 70
After surgery on the thigh bone: nail or plate
Hip & knee · After surgery on a broken bone
Count the weeks from the day of your operation. The date is on your discharge card.
If your doctor wrote a different plan on your prescription, follow that instead of this page.
A4 PDF, 0.6 MB. Free to download — no sign-up, no email address needed.
Weeks 0–2
Protect the wound, keep the blood moving and wake up the thigh muscle.
Weight bearing
Nail Full, as comfortable, with a walker, unless we tell you otherwise.
Plate As written on your prescription.
Quad sets
Sit with the leg straight. Press the back of the knee down and tighten the thigh.
- Hold 5 seconds
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: The thigh muscle tightening Should not feel: Knee pain
Buttock squeeze
Lie on your back with the legs straight. Squeeze the buttocks together, hold, then relax.
- Hold 10 seconds
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: The buttocks tightening Should not feel: Back pain
Heel slides
Lie down and slide the heel up towards the buttock, bending the knee as far as you can.
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: A stretch as the knee bends Should not feel: Sharp pain at the wound
Lying hip slide out
Lie on your back, legs straight, toes pointing up. Slide the leg out to the side and back, keeping the knee straight.
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: The side of the hip working Should not feel: The toes rolling outwards
Straight leg raise
Lie down, one knee bent. Keep the other knee straight and lift the leg 20 cm.
- Hold 5 seconds
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: The thigh working Should not feel: The knee bending or back pain
Short-arc quads
Lie with a rolled towel under the knee. Lift the heel until the knee is straight, hold, then lower slowly. Take the towel away afterwards.
- Hold 5 seconds
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: The front of the thigh working Should not feel: Sharp pain at the wound
Not yet A pillow under the knee, twisting on the leg, or driving.
Move to the next stage only after we have seen you, and the X-ray if one was planned.
Weeks 2–6
Bend the knee to a right angle and walk with support. Carry on with the earlier exercises.
Weight bearing
Nail Full. Move from the walker to crutches.
Plate As written on your prescription. It increases as the X-ray shows healing.
Sitting knee bend
Sit on a firm chair. Slide the foot back under the chair to bend the knee, hold, then bring it forward.
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: A stretch as the knee bends Should not feel: Sharp pain
Terminal knee extension
Rest the heel on a rolled towel so the knee hangs free. Press the knee down straight.
- Hold 5 seconds
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: The back of the knee stretching Should not feel: Sharp pain
Standing hip abduction
Hold a chair. Lift the leg out to the side, keeping the body upright.
- 10 times
- Daily each side
Should feel: The side of the hip working Should not feel: Leaning over
Standing hip extension
Hold a chair. Take the leg backwards, keeping it straight.
- 10 times
- Daily each side
Should feel: The buttock working Should not feel: Arching the back
Not yet Squatting, running or lifting.
Move to the next stage only after we have seen you, and the X-ray if one was planned.
Weeks 6–12
Walk without a limp and build strength. Carry on with the earlier exercises.
Weight bearing
Nail Full. Cut down the walking aids.
Plate As written on your prescription, as the X-ray allows.
Mini squat
Hold a support and bend the knees a little way.
- 10 times
- Daily
Should feel: The thighs working Should not feel: Knee pain
Stand up from a chair
Sit towards the front of a firm chair. Fold the arms across the chest, lean forward over the knees, and stand up without using your hands. Lower yourself back down slowly.
- 10 times
- 3 times a day
Should feel: The thighs working, and a slow controlled sit Should not feel: Dropping into the chair
Bridging
Lie on your back, knees bent. Lift your hips off the floor, hold, then lower.
- 10 times
- Daily
Should feel: The buttocks and back of thighs working Should not feel: Cramp, or back pain
Step-up
Hold a rail. Step up onto a low step with the operated leg, then step down with the other leg.
- 10 times
- Daily
Should feel: The thigh working Should not feel: The knee falling inwards
Step down
Stand on a low step and lower the other heel slowly towards the floor.
- 10 times
- Daily
Should feel: Controlled lowering Should not feel: The knee falling inwards
Single-leg balance
Stand on one leg beside a worktop.
- 30 seconds
- 3 times a day
Should feel: Working to stay steady Should not feel: Losing balance — hold on
Calf raises
Rise onto both toes and lower under control.
- 15 times
- Daily
Should feel: The calf working Should not feel: Sharp pain
Not yet Running, jumping or heavy manual work, until about 3 months.
Move to the next stage only after we have seen you, and the X-ray if one was planned.
Week 12 onwards
Back to work and sport, as the X-ray shows. Carry on with the third-stage exercises.
Weight bearing Full.
Static cycling
Set the seat high, so the knee is almost straight at the bottom. Pedal gently with little resistance.
- 10 minutes
- Daily
Should feel: The knee moving freely Should not feel: Pain in the knee or hip
Not yet Contact sport until we clear you.
Stop and telephone us if
- Sudden breathlessness, chest pain or confusion — go to the nearest hospital
- The calf becomes swollen, tight or painful
- Pain that keeps getting worse despite the painkillers
- The foot becomes numb, cold, pale or blue
- Wound redness, discharge or fever
- A new snap, or the leg gives way
Ready when you are.
Call either clinic during consulting hours, or send a WhatsApp message any time.