Knee surgery can have a long recovery.  The knee needs to be retrained with the new tissue and muscles, tendons and ligaments have shortened after the surgery.  

Exercises movements must start out slow and full range of motion is not recommended until the joint can handle it.  Small range of motion exercises are recommended to begin your recovery.  

After you have surgery there is a bit of a waiting period to heal. So how long does it take to start rehab?

Depending on how fast you heal it can be a 2 to 6 week wait before starting rehabilitation exercises.  

This is what you want to look for when you start exercising:

1. Protect the knee from over stress and allow healing throughout the exercise process
2. Regain full range of motion without pain
3. Regain full muscle strength without pain
   
   As long as your body can withhold the stress of walking, it is good to start getting some steps in.  Walk with putting heal down first and push off the bottom of the big toe.  
   
   One thing you do not want to do is prop your knee up under a pillow.  It will stiffen and reduce movement of the knee.
   
   Make sure you are getting body work when you are recovering.  When you are starting new exercises your body is adapting and using muscles it needs to get you to exercise.  If you are putting more weight on one side, there will be an imbalance and a chiropractor can get balance back into the body.  Also, cold laser and Graston Technique can help keep muscles moving properly and keep inflammation down to keep you on track during your rehabilitation.  
   
   That is where is where we come in!
   
   Dr. Amie Gregory, DC, CCEP, ANF is a San Francisco, CA and San Carlos, CA Sports and wellness chiropractor that understands full body health.  She works with athletes, expectant moms, office workers and everyone else in between.  Contact our San Francisco, CA chiropractic office or San Carlos, CA chiropractic office today!
   
   We can collaborate with your Physical Therapist or other doctor to make sure you get all the tools you need to help you get your life back on track.  Contact us today

https://www.massgeneral.org/assets/mgh/pdf/orthopaedics/sports-medicine/physical-therapy/rehabilitation-protocol-for-knee-arthroscopy-phase2.pdf