711 Lawn Avenue
Sellersville, PA 18960
(215) 257-3700 phone
(215) 257-0360 fax

PRE-OP INSTRUCTIONS

1. You will obtain a Polar Care Ice Kit from the brace shop (if possible) and begin using it if you have a recent or acute injury. This can be used continuously for 20-minute intervals.

2. You will obtain a KT 1000 test (at Sports Medicine) to document the degree of knee laxity (looseness).

3. You will be measured for crutches and a knee immobilizer and be shown a partial weight bearing technique for post op ambulation.

4. You will need to work on range of motion exercises for your knee if this is a recent injury.  This is important to prevent post op stiffness.  Specifically, working on gaining full extension by propping your heel up on something firm such as a chair and allowing your knee to "sink into" full extension.  This should be done for 10 minutes every hour if necessary to obtain full extension.  Also, you should be able to flex (bend) your knee fully.  To prevent muscle atrophy, do leg lifts for 10 seconds, 10 repetitions at least 5 times a day.

5. This period after a recent knee injury is to let the knee "settle down".  Obtaining full range of motion is necessary for an optimal result.  This duration is approximately 3 weeks.

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Upper Bucks Orthopaedics
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