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Table 4 Protocolized home exercise program and progression

From: A consensus-based process identifying physical therapy and exercise treatments for patients with degenerative meniscal tears and knee OA: the TeMPO physical therapy interventions and home exercise program

Exercise target*

Initial

Intermediate

Advanced

Stretches

Hamstrings 2x30s**

Quadriceps 2x30s

Hamstrings 2x30s

Quadriceps 2x30s

Hamstrings 2x30s

Quadriceps 2x30s

Gluteus Maximus strengthening

Bent over hip extension with knee bent without weight; OR Bridging

Bent over hip extension with knee bent with weight (1–5 lbs)

Bent over hip extension with knee bent with weight (6–10 lbs)

Gluteus Medius strengthening

Side-lying straight leg lift without weight; OR Clamshell

Side-lying straight leg lift with weight (1–5 lbs)

Side-lying straight leg lift with weight (6–10 lbs)

Quadriceps strengthening

Straight leg raise without weight; OR Seated knee extension without weight

Straight leg raise with weight (1–5 lbs); OR Seated knee extension with weight (1–5 lbs)

Straight leg raise with weight (6–10 lbs); OR Seated knee extension with weight (6–10 lbs)

Hamstrings strengthening

Standing knee bends without weight

Standing knee bends with weight (1–5 lbs)

Standing knee bends with weight (6–10 lbs)

Functional exercises

Mini wall squats

Regular chair squat

Staggered leg chair squat

  1. *All exercises, except where indicated are done in 3 sets of 12 repetitions (reps) 4 times per week. Patients are encouraged to begin at as low as 3 sets of 8 reps and work their way to 12 reps per set as tolerated
  2. ** 2x30s refers to two reps of a 30 s hold for each stretch