Skip to main content

Table 2 Pre-specified list of exercises for the home exercise program

From: Addition of telephone coaching to a physiotherapist-delivered physical activity program in people with knee osteoarthritis: A randomised controlled trial protocol

Knee extensor strengthening: Every program must include at least three of the following knee extensor strengthening exercises.
Knee extension Non weight-bearing Seated knee extension (with resistance) with 5 second hold Variation: Use appropriate level of resistance band – red through to black or ankle cuff weight
  Non weight-bearing Inner range quads over roll (with resistance) in supine with 5 second hold Variation: Use appropriate level of ankle cuff weight
Straight Leg Raise Non weight-bearing Straight Leg Raise in supine (with resistance) Variations: Add 5 second hold
    Variation: Use appropriate level of ankle cuff weight
  Non weight-bearing Straight Leg Raise in standing with resistance band at ankle Variation: 5 second hold
Resisted knee extension in standing Weight-bearing Resisted inner range knee extension in standing (resistance band around back of knee) Variation: Increase weight taken on arthritis leg until standing on one leg to do the exercise
Partial Squats Weight-bearing Partial wall squats with weight distributed bilaterally (feet approximately 30cm out from wall) Variations: 5 second hold, more weight on arthritis leg
Steps Weight-bearing Step-ups (affected leg on the step, control knee straightening, lower to start position by controlling knee bending) Variations: step height, holding extra weight (in hands or backpack)
  Weight-bearing Forward touchdowns from a step (affected leg on the step, control knee bending to lightly tap floor in front with toes of non-affected leg, return to start by controlling knee straightening) Variations: step height, holding extra weight (in hands or backpack), don’t touch down
Sit-to-stand Weight-bearing Sit to stand from a standard height chair without using hands/arms Variations: chair height, hover above the seat without touching down, more weight on arthritis leg
Forward-backwards exercise (with knee bend) Weight-bearing Sliding (slide non-affected side foot along the floor to the front and then to the back, bend and straighten affected knee with control and neutral alignment)  
  Weight-bearing Stepping (step non-affected side foot to the front and then to the back, bend and straighten affected knee with control and neutral alignment)  
Hip abductor strengthening: Every program must include at least one of the following hip abductor strengthening exercises.
Side-lying hip abduction Non weight-bearing Side-lying bent-leg hip abduction (clams) with resistance band around knees Variation: Use appropriate level of resistance band – red through to black or ankle weight
  Non weight-bearing Side leg raise (hip abduction) with resistance Variation: Use appropriate level of ankle cuff weight
    Do not use if painful hip OA.
Standing hip abduction Non weight-bearing Standing side leg side raises with resistance band Variation: Use appropriate level of resistance band – red through to black or ankle weight
  Weight-bearing Wall push standing on arthritis leg (non-affected leg bent at hip and knee, push thigh against a wall to activate hip abductor muscles) Variation: Increase arthritis leg knee bend to 30°
Side stepping Weight-bearing Crab walk (side stepping) with resistance band around thighs or ankles  
Hip abduction dips Weight-bearing Hip abductor dips (standing on affected leg, lower non-affected leg by frontal plane pelvic tilting)  
Back to article page

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

ISSN: 1471-2474

Contact us