Heel Slides After Knee Surgery

“I would like to know when we can officially give up the darn heel slides and other stretch exercises, or do we need to continue forever?”

Heel slides after knee surgery are just one of many exercises available to increase range of motion, reduce swelling, and regain function.

They do not need to be performed once you have progressed to unassisted walking.

This exercise should not be painful or frustrating. If it is then I would recommend you stop doing them and talk to your physical therapist. You may be performing them incorrectly or too agressively.

* Actual Facebook post from our free group Total Knee Replacement Support Group for KIND People.

Heel slides are a commonly prescribed exercise following knee surgery. The purpose of this exercise is to:

1. Regain control over the knee extensors (quadriceps muscle) and the knee flexors (hamstring muscle.)
2. Reduce swelling by using a “muscle pump” effect which pushes fluid out of the lower extremity with each muscle contraction.
3. Improve range of motion.
4. Start regaining functional strength.

4 Positions to Heel Slides

• Lying down on your back (Supine)
• Seated in a chair
• Standing at a kitchen counter
• Advanced heel slides

Lying down on your back (Supine)

During the first week after knee surgery, it is common to perform heel slides while lying on your back.

The more friction you have between your heel and the surface you are sliding against the more resistance you will experience.

In some cases patients will use a cookie sheet or plastic bag under their heel to reduce the friction, then as you get stronger and feel more in control you will do things to increase the friction.

This exercise is commonly performed 10 to 15 repetitions every 2 to 4 hours.

The goal is to reduce swelling, improve range of motion, and regain muscle control.

Seated in a chair

As you move past the first week of recovery, many patients will spend less time reclined and more time sitting in a chair. 

Heel slides performed in a seated position are very similar to those performed lying on your back.

Use a strap or slippery surface initially to reduce friction, then progress to more resisted slides by increasing friction.

This may again be performed for 10 to 15 repetitions every 2 to 4 hours a day.

The goal at this stage continues to be reduced swelling, improved range of motion, and improved muscle control.

Standing at a kitchen counter

This is a different way to do a heel slide than what you commonly see online.

Since the goal of heel slides at this stage (weeks 2-4 of recovery) is to improve function, performing this exercise while standing and facing a kitchen counter is recommended.

Watch the video to see how it is done.

Heel Slide Variations

Finally, a version of heel slides may be performed in which you move your body to your heels instead of your heels to your body.

This is a more advanced exercise and should only be performed when prescribed by your physical therapist.

Watch the following video for details.