Please note: these exercises are to be completed only if advised by your doctor or physiotherapist. You should stop the exercises if they cause an increase in pain until you are seen in an orthopaedic, fracture or physiotherapy clinic.

• 0 – 2 weeks since injury – rehabilitation plan: If given a splint in A&E or clinic, you can wear this as required until your Knee Specialist, physiotherapy or follow up appointment. The splint can be removed to apply cold packs and to start gentle exercises shown below. The splint can be worn either under or over your clothes depending on what you find most comfortable as seen in picture. You are allowed to put weight through the leg as is comfortable, with or without crutches.
• 2+ weeks since injury – rehabilitation plan: You should expect to have an appointment in the Knee Clinic or physiotherapy department for further assessment and ongoing advice with regards to rehabilitation.

Fitting the Cricket pad splint: Place cricket pad splint on the leg so that your patella (knee cap) is in the middle hole of the splint, as shown .

Initial exercises to do three times a day

Static Quads: With your affected leg straight out in front of you, gently tense your thigh muscle and try to flatten your knee further. Hold for 10 seconds and repeat 7-10 times

Knee flexion and extension: Gently bend and straighten your injured leg as pain allows, only going as far as you feel comfortable. Repeat 7-10 times

An advanced version of this exercise is to do it sitting in a chair as shown below. Try to bend and and straighten your knee as your pain allows. Repeat 10 times, holding your leg straight for up to 5 seconds if able.

Inner range Quads: Place a rolled up towel or small pillow under your injured knee as shown in the picture. Tense your thigh muscles and try to straighten your knee. Keep the back of your knee in contact with the towel/pillow. Repeat 10 times, holding your leg straight for up to 5 seconds if able

If you have any queries regarding the above exercises, please consult your treating doctor or physiotherapist in your upcoming appointment.

MTW NHS Trust is committed to making its patient information accessible in a range of languages and formats. If you need this leaflet in another language or format please ask one of your clinical care team or the PALS Team. We will do our best to arrange this.

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)

If you would like to raise any concerns, make comments and suggestions or require information on Trust services, you can contact PALS. Office opening times are Monday to Friday 10.00am to 4.00pm. Both offices offer a 24 hour answering machine. Messages will be responded to within one working day, so please do leave a contact number.
PALS Maidstone Hospital 01622 224960
PALS Tunbridge Wells 01892 632953
PALS Email mtwpals@nhs.net
PALS SMS 07747 782317

Issue date: Pending Approval Review date: TBA Database reference: GOV/LEA/4 (A4)