The stump exercise for above-knee and below-knee amputation.

Exercises

Besides having good operation, the patient must exercise the stump. Exercising is very necessary

for the stump in order to make it strong. The objectives of exercising the stump are to prevent the

joint from being stiff, to make the blood circulation of the stump well, to make the strength of the

muscles balance, to add more strength and endurance to the muscles and to prevent the muscles

around the stump from becoming weak. The general exercises are the followings:

The exercises for both arms which are necessary because the patient must learn how to

use the crutches. In using the crutches, the patient must use the strength of the arms to straight out

the elbow. Therefore, the arms must be strong.

The muscle strength of the torso must be strong in order to support the weight of the

body. The strength of the legs must be strong in order to support the weight of the amputated leg.

Therefore, the patient must do the exercises on several parts of the body to gain more strength and

endurance. The patient should do the exercises on the amputated leg as well.

The exercises for the patient who has above-knee amputation.

For above-knee amputation, the natural joint of the patient will be cut off too. Therefore,

the patient must have enough strength of the muscles at the hips and at the torso to control the

work of the artificial leg so that it will function properly.The exercises are the following:

1. Exercise for muscles of the buttock.

In doing this kind of exercise, the patient can be in any position. Contract the muscles of

the buttock for about 10 seconds for one exercise. The patient should do as often as he wants to

in one day.

2. Hip extensor muscles exercise .

Make the patient lie on his back. Put a small pillow under the tip of the stump. Then try

to push the stump on the pillow so that the hip is moved up from the ground.

Alternatively, the patient can do the exercise when lying face down and push the stump

against the gravity of the world for about 15 to 20 times for one set of exercise. Do 2 to 3 times

a day.

Make the patient lies on his back, and left the hip up by using the good leg so that the hip

is in straight line with the back, then down. Do it 15 to 20 times for one set of exercise. Do it 2-3

times a day.

3. Hip flexor muscles exercise .

Make the patient lies his face down. Put small pillow under the end of the stump. Bend

the hip joint and push the end of the stump down. Lift the pelvis up. Do this exercise 15 to 20

times for one set of exercise. Do it 2-3 times a day.

4. Hip abductor muscles exercise .

Make the patient lies on the side of the amputated leg. Put a small pillow under the end of

the stump. Put a box or a small chair under the other leg. Push the stump down and lift the pelvis

up for 15 to 20 times for one set of exercise. Do it 2-3 times a day.

5. Hip adductor muscles exercise .

Make the patient lies on his side of the good leg. Put the stump on the pillow that is

placed on a small chair. Press the end of the stump down and lift the pelvis up high for 15 to 20

times for one set of exercise. Do the exercise 2-3 times a day.

6. Abdominal muscles exercise .

Make the patient lies on his back. Lift the leg and the knee to 45 degree. Put the good leg

on the floor. Lift the body up and stretch the arm to touch the knee for 15 to 20 times for each set

of exercise. Do the exercise 2-3 times a day.

The exercises for the patient who has below-knee amputation.

For below-knee amputation, the natural knee of the patient is still in good condition. The

groups of muscles that help stretch the knee are very important in making an artificial leg for an

amputee who has been amputated below the knee. These muscles will help stretch the knee and

will protect the knee from bending in while it has to support the weight of the body. These

muscles are big and strong muscles on the anterior part of the thigh. The exercises for these

muscles are:

1. Knee extensor muscles exercise .

Make the patient lies down with his face facing the floor. Put a towel under the front part

of the thigh and the knee. Tell the patient to push leg up hard and extend the end of the stump

down.

Or ask the patient to lie on his back. Put a pillow under the bolt joint of the amputated leg.

Lift the knee up and down regularly 15 to 20 times for one set of the exercise. Do this exercise

2-3 times a day.

2. Knee flexsor muscles exercise .

Make the patient lies on his back. Put a small pillow under the end of the stump. Try to

push the end of the stump down on the pillow and bend the knee towards the body of the patient.

Or ask the patient to lie down with his face facing the floor. Bend and stretch the stump

up and down 15 to 20 times for one set of this exercise. Do the exercise 2-3 times a day.