Full arc extensions

Sit comfortably on a chair. Slowly extend the knee and hold it there for 10 seconds, keeping the quads muscle contracted.

Slowly lower the leg and repeat on the other side. Repeat this whole sequence several times. Add ankle weights if it is too easy.

• Why is knee extension important?
• Quick links
• Peer-reviewed papers

Why is knee extension important?

Proper knee function demands a strong quadriceps muscle which can support the body's weight when walking and running. This particular exercise is an open chain exercise - where the foot is free during the exercise, and should only be included once the patient is confident with closed chain exercises of the quads, such as mini-squats, where the foot remains in contact with the surface throughout the procedure.

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Quick links

• Quadriceps inhibition

• Extension

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Peer-reviewed papers

• Quote:

  Muscle inhibition may cause limitation of knee extension after injury or surgery due to "acute swelling, inflammation, pain, and joint laxity.....Preoperative full knee extension has been shown to be important in regaining postoperative knee extension and limiting arthrofibrosis...."

  Citation: Delaloye JR, Murar J, Sánchez MG, Saithna A, Ouanezar H, Thaunat M, Vieira TD, Sonnery-Cottet B. How to Rapidly Abolish Knee Extension Deficit After Injury or Surgery: A Practice-Changing Video Pearl From the Scientific Anterior Cruciate Ligament Network International (SANTI) Study Group. Arthrosc Tech. 2018 May 7;7(6):e601-e605. doi: 10.1016/j.eats.2018.02.006. PMID: 30013901; PMCID: PMC6019855.

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