Best Exercises to Strengthen Knees Before and After Surgery

June 16, 2025

Expert Tips from Dr. Deepak Mishra – Leading Knee Replacement Surgeon in Faridabad

Whether you’re preparing for knee replacement surgery or recovering from one, strengthening the muscles around the knee is essential for optimal recovery and long-term joint function. Dr. Deepak Mishra, a renowned orthopedic and knee replacement surgeon in Faridabad, recommends specific exercises that can significantly improve outcomes both before and after surgery.

Why Strengthening the Knee is Crucial

Pre-surgery (Prehabilitation) helps improve muscle tone, flexibility, and circulation, reducing the risk of complications during and after surgery.
Post-surgery (Rehabilitation) restores mobility, prevents stiffness, strengthens muscles, and ensures long-term success of the knee replacement.

Dr. Deepak Mishra emphasizes that guided physiotherapy and patient-specific exercises dramatically enhance both the speed and quality of recovery.

Best Pre-Surgery Knee Exercises

1. Quad Sets

How to Do: Sit or lie with your leg extended. Tighten your thigh muscles by pushing the knee downward.
Reps: 10–15 repetitions, 2–3 times a day
Benefits: Strengthens the quadriceps without straining the joint.

2. Straight Leg Raises

How to Do: Lie flat with one knee bent and the other straight. Lift the straight leg to the height of the bent knee.
Reps: 10 reps, 3 sets
Benefits: Builds core and thigh strength while keeping the knee stable.

3. Heel Slides

How to Do: Lie on your back and slowly slide your heel toward your hips, bending the knee, then straighten it back out.
Reps: 10 reps, 3 sets
Benefits: Improves range of motion and joint flexibility.

4. Calf Raises

How to Do: Stand behind a chair, rise on your toes, hold for a few seconds, and slowly lower down.
Reps: 10–15 reps
Benefits: Enhances ankle and calf strength, improving balance and gait.

Best Post-Surgery Knee Exercises (as recommended by Dr. Deepak Mishra)

Always perform post-operative exercises under supervision or as advised by your surgeon or physiotherapist.

1. Ankle Pumps

How to Do: While lying down, flex and point your toes up and down.
Purpose: Promotes blood flow and prevents blood clots.

2. Seated Knee Bends

How to Do: Sit with your feet flat, gently slide the foot backward to bend the knee, then return.
Goal: Gradually increase knee bending to improve range of motion.

3. Knee Extensions (with support)

How to Do: Sit on a chair, straighten the leg in front of you, hold, and then lower.
Target: Builds quadriceps strength after surgery.

4. Standing March

How to Do: Hold onto a chair and march in place.
Benefit: Improves strength, coordination, and balance.

5. Mini Squats (Later Stage)

How to Do: With support, bend knees slightly and return to standing.
Goal: Rebuilds strength in quads and glutes over time.

Expert Advice from Dr. Deepak Mishra

Dr. Deepak Mishra, Director and Head of Joint Replacement at Asian Hospital, Faridabad, advises that both pre- and post-surgery exercises should be done consistently for best results. He often collaborates with physiotherapists to create customized rehabilitation plans for each patient, depending on their age, condition, and surgery type.

His patients often experience:

Faster recovery
Better joint function
Reduced post-operative pain
Enhanced mobility and independence

With decades of surgical experience and a patient-first approach, Dr. Mishra is considered one of the most trusted names in knee replacement and post-surgical care across Faridabad and Delhi NCR.

Tips for Safe Exercise

Start slow and follow medical advice.
Use ice or compression for swelling.
Avoid high-impact activities early on.
Focus on consistency over intensity.
Don’t skip physiotherapy sessions.

Conclusion

Building strength around your knee joint—both before and after surgery—lays the foundation for successful recovery. Whether it’s preparing your body for surgery or regaining function afterward, exercises tailored by orthopedic experts can make all the difference.

If you’re planning knee surgery or struggling with knee issues, Dr. Deepak Mishra is the go-to expert in Faridabad. With his deep expertise and personalized care approach, you’ll be in the best hands for both surgical and post-surgical outcomes.