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External Fixator

Smith & Nephew

Exercise is critical for a speedy recovery. You will be visiting with your physical therapist during your recovery process so that you can be monitored and your exercises can be adjusted to meet your body’s changing needs.

The following exercises may be similar to the ones that your surgeon and/or physical therapist will prescribe. These exercises may not be allowed immediately following surgery. Do not attempt these exercises without consent or supervision from your surgeon and/or physical therapist.

Smith & Nephew

Flexion (bent) and extension (straight) exercises for the arms and forearms with the use of weights strengthen the shoulder and upper extremity muscles to prepare you specifically for crutch walking.¹

Push-ups help strengthen the arms for crutch walking. These can be done from a sitting position, or while lying on your stomach. Use your hands to raise your body from the chair seat, mattress or floor.²

Squeezing a rubber ball strengthens the hands for crutch walking.²

Smith & Nephew

Active and passive range-of-motion (ROM) exercises for the unaffected extremities will keep these muscles strong. ROM exercises consist of straightening and bending one or more joints of the body and moving them in all the directions they normally move.

Active ROM exercises you do yourself, with or without the supervision of the physical therapist. Passive ROM exercises are performed by the physical therapist, without any effort from you.

Smith & Nephew

Exercises your surgeon may prescribe for the affected limb may include quadriceps and gluteal-sitting exercises, ankle pumps and straight-leg raises.¹

Quadriceps-sitting exercises help prevent contractures of the knee. You may be more comfortable sitting or lying with your leg bent rather than keeping it straight, but prolonged periods of sitting or lying with your knee bent can cause joint stiffness and limited mobility.

To perform quadriceps-sitting exercises, you must first lie on your back. Next, elevate the affected leg by placing a pillow under the heel of your foot so that the knee is straight. Start by tightening the thigh muscles so that the knee is pushed downward.³

Hold for a count of five. Slowly release. Perform the quadriceps-sitting exercise at least 10 – 15 times every hour, while awake, if your surgeon and/or physical therapist advise.

Gluteal-sitting exercises increase circulation and strengthen the muscles of the buttocks used for ambulation.¹

To perform the gluteal-sitting exercises, squeeze your buttocks together. Hold for a count of five. Slowly release. Perform the gluteal-sitting exercise at least 10 – 15 times every hour, while awake, if your surgeon and/or physical therapist advise.

Ankle pumps help increase circulation and prevent blood clots and contractures of the foot and ankle. To perform ankle pumps, pretend that you are pressing on the gas pedal of a car and then release. Perform ankle pumps often if your surgeon and/or physical therapist advise you.

Straight-leg raises are done to help build muscle strength. To perform straight-leg raises, lie on your back. Place a pillow under the heel of the affected leg. Keeping your leg straight, lift your leg for a count of five. Slowly lower your leg. Repeat until the thigh feels fatigued. Follow the same protocol for the unaffected leg – except do not elevate the unaffected leg on a pillow, start with it flat on the floor. Perform as often as your surgeon and/or physical therapist advises.

References:

1Schoen, Delores, C. Adult Orthopaedic Nursing. Pennsylvania: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 2000.

2Smeltzer, Suzanne C. and Brenda G. Bare. Brunner and Suddarth’s Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing. Pennsylvania: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 1992.

3Haines, Dale (Slim). The ILIZAROV™™ & External Fixator Wearer’s Support Group. Clothing Modifications, 1-2. Exercise, Exercise, Exercise, 1-2. Footwear, 1. ILIZAROV™ hints, tips and advice, 2, 4, 7. www.ILIZAROV.org.uk.

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