3 Beginner Exercises for Lower Extremity Amputees

Posted on: February 23rd, 2016 by FloydBrace Blogger

new amputee exercises

Going through an amputation is a traumatic experience.  It is painful, physically and emotionally.  Every amputee will tell you that you’ll have good days and bad days, but they’ll also tell you that no matter what, you need to keep moving forward.  At Floyd Brace, we want to help you move forward starting today with stretching, balancing and strengthening exercises for new lower extremity amputees!

Stretching

Stretching your joints after an amputation is extremely important.  Bending and extending your joints for as little as 20 minutes each day with each joint will increase flexibility and decrease pain.

  • Hips – To stretch your hips, you must lie on your stomach for 20 minutes at least two times per day. You can increase the stretch by adding pillows under your chest.
  • Knees – If you have a below knee amputation, remember to work your knees daily for full flexibility. To stretch your knees, simply extend your knee up on a chair for 20 minutes at least two times per day.

Balancing

Developing good balance is vital to a new amputee.  Your body will be balanced differently and you will need to practice daily to be successful.

  • Reaching – To relearn your body’s balance, you must set up objects to reach for while you are kneeling, standing on your good leg and standing on your prosthesis. Continue to increase the challenge to see how far you can push yourself.

Strengthening

Finally, new amputees will need to regain strength, especially in their stomach.  An important tip for this exercise is to remove your prosthesis before you begin or you may injure yourself.

  • Sit-ups – To strengthen your stomach, we recommend sit-up daily. As a new amputee, you will need to ask a partner to hold down your residual limb or place a weight on it to stabilize yourself.

With these simple stretching, balancing and strengthening exercises, you will be well on your way to a more active lifestyle in no time.  We hope you continue to push yourself and remain an active, healthy amputee.  However, you must watch for pain, redness, swelling or sores that may form, and contact your prosthetist if this occurs.

If you have any questions about how to be more active as an amputee, please don’t hesitate to contact us today!

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