02/10/2025
The Role of Hamstrings After a Total Knee Replacement
I want to highlight an important muscle group in the rehab process following a Total Knee Replacement (TKR): your hamstrings!
Why the Hamstrings Matter:
After knee replacement surgery, your quadriceps (the front thigh muscles) usually get a lot of attention for their role in knee stability. However, don’t forget about your hamstrings! These muscles, located on the back of the thigh, play a crucial role in knee flexion, stability, and pain management.
✅ Knee Flexion: Bending your knee after surgery.
✅ Stability: Supporting the knee joint during functional movements like walking or climbing stairs.
✅ Pain Management: Strengthening your hamstrings helps to reduce unnecessary strain on your quads and can alleviate discomfort.
Hamstring Rehab Tips:
1. Range of Motion and flexibility: Work on gentle stretches and knee bending exercises to improve knee mobility.
2. Coordination: Include exercises that challenge balance to strengthen the entire leg for functional recovery.
3. Gentle Strengthening: Start with low-resistance exercises like seated or prone hamstring curls to rebuild strength without overloading the knee.
Don’t Rush the Process: Healing from a total knee replacement takes time, and muscle retraining should be gradual. Always follow your therapist’s guidance and be patient with the progress.
