Quad Muscle not getting stronger......

Hi, I had both knees replaced at same time in Feb 2013. Three months later I ruptured my left quadriceps tendon. Two surgeries were done, one at the time it happened & one 6 months later. Unfortunately I still have alot of weakness in that leg over the last 10 years despite those 2 surgeries & many PT sessions!! I've needed to use a walker/rollator to get around. I still keep doing those exercises to try to keep it as best I can. Was told that my situation only happens in 2-3% of cases post knee replacement. And usually up to 3 months post op. Anyway keep up with your exercises and taking whichever NSAID you can to help with inflammation. Best of luck to you!!!

I too have quad muscle problems. My Muscles don’t want to stretch. Told me that after they stretch them, they go back to try to protect the area. I am having some success with water walking. I also get a lot Of muscle spasms during the night and sometimes during the day when my legs are elevated, they feel better when they are down.

I am wondering this as well....My ROM is 122 and they feel the best during the night straight as well as first thing in the morning but throughout the day they get sore and stiff. I will ask this in 6 weeks when I go back. This is interesting.

I'm so sorry...being 18 months out I think my quad is ok just can't get it to be strong for some reason. I'd have thought by now it would have. As kr1 below said I wonder if mine might be the same issue going on since it was stretched for the surgery and is trying to protect itself. Makes you wonder.

Cindy, I have a bad knee too, but wall squats take pressure off the knee. Have a PT show you how to do correctly.
Sue

Hey Cindy, sorry you are still having trouble.

One exercise in the gym that a lot of people do to strengthen the quad muscles is the leg extension machine. From a seated position, the ankles go under a pad and lift a given weight until the leg is straight. The feet are lowered and raised repeatedly.

According to my TKR surgeon - DO NOT USE THIS MACHINE. This puts an incredible amount of stress on the knee as it becomes a fulcrum. The leg extension also increases the risk of lateral patellar deviation, meaning the knee cap can slide right or left unnaturally. And to add insult to injury, this "exercise" adds no functionality to the knee or the leg.

A lot of body builders use this machine because it adds definition to the quads and makes the muscles "pop" - but it is actually harmful and, at best, useless from a functional standpoint. It is much better to do squats, with or without resistance, and to do seated leg extensions, where the leg is held straight out for 30 to 45 seconds with no weight.

I hope this helps you, or someone on here recovering from a TKR.

Joe

I don't know if you're using this machine or not. Sounds like you are very active and so, just in case.

I actually was using this machine when in PT quite a bit...now just doing short arc lifts with the roller under my leg, full leg extensions on the bed as well as raising and lowering like you said I also am riding the bike and pulling my foot back toward by but and things are actually loosening up quite a bit. The hinged knee brace helps tremendously as it doens't let my leg extend to far while supporting the side of the leg with the hinges on either side. I"m looking forward to seeing how I progress in a few more weeks on my own with the recommendations of the second surgeon's suggestions.

My PT guy started me doing ball squats at therapy, and I liked them so much I ordered a ball to use at home. You put a large soft Swiss ball between your back and the wall and have a wonderful cushion that allows you to take some of the pressure off your knees, but still work quads effectively. Ask at PT about these ball squats. Here is a Youtube Video as a sample of how it works.

Yes my surgeon and therapist have me doing squats with ball behind my back since 2021 post TKR
did water aerobics for 2 years still doing squats now along with different leg exercises using 1 and 2 lb ankle weights and endurance exercises and last but not least stationary bike

I stopped my water aerobics as the water was so cold and the local Y would not make it any warmer though many of us complained (new director). I am wondering if I will ever be able to stop exercising at some point or will I have to do these things the rest of my life. I do try and exercise each day but sometimes life just happens and it doesn't get done.