Lie on your stomach for 20 minutes 2 or 3 times a day. Do not place a pillow under your stomach.
Do not put your amputated leg on a pillow when lying down, unless otherwise told to do so. Do not place a pillow under your hips, knees, or between your thighs.
Do not hang your stump over the side of the bed.
Bring your non-amputated limb toward your chest.
Put your arm around your thigh and pull even closer.
Hold for 20 seconds.
Bring your non-amputated knee toward your chest.
Straighten your leg until you feel a stretch in the back of your thigh.
Bring your non-amputated leg up to your chest and hold it with your arms.
Have someone push your amputated limb down to the bed and hold it for a count of 20.
Relax and repeat.
When your leg can easily lay on the bed, scoot to the side and dangle your amputated limb over the side of the bed.
Repeat the above exercise.
Place a rolled towel under your amputated limb.
Lie in this position for 20 minutes.
As you stretch the hip flexor muscle,
you may increase the size of the towel roll.
Put your amputated limb out to the side and bend the other leg slightly.
Push on the thigh so you feel a stretch in your inner thigh.
Make sure that both buttocks remain on the floor.
Do not lift one up in the air.
Lift your amputated limb off the bed towards the ceiling.
Return to the starting position.
Use a weight, if instructed by your therapist.
Repeat the recommended number of times.
Place a rolled towel under the end of your amputated limb.
Push down into the towel, and lift your hips off the floor.
Repeat the recommended number of times.
Fasten a belt or stretch band around your thighs as low as it is comfortable.
Try to pull your legs apart by pushing outward against the belt or band.
Push for a count of 5.
Relax.
Repeat the recommended number of times.
Keep your knee pointed forward.
Return to the starting position.
Repeat the recommended number of times.
Place a rolled towel or pillow between your legs as low as is comfortable.
Squeeze the towel between your legs for a count of 5.
Relax.
Repeat recommended number of times.
Bring your top leg forward and let your foot rest on the floor in front of you.
Lift your bottom leg toward the ceiling.
Return to the starting position.
Repeat recommended number of times.
Bend your knee so the foot of your non-amputated leg is resting flat on the floor.
Place your hands in the small of your back.
Push your low back into your hands.
Hold for a count of 5.
Relax.
Repeat recommended number of times.
Bend your hips so the foot of your non-amputated leg is resting flat on the floor.
Rest your hands on your thighs.
Slowly curl up until your head and shoulder blades are off the floor.
Look up to the ceiling as you do this exercise.
Repeat recommended number of times.
The Ohio State University Medical Center, Department of Physical Therapy
Copyright, (1/2002)
If you would like more information, Please call the Center for Health Information at 614-293-3707.
You can also make the request by e-mail: health-info@osu.edu
Upon request, all patient education handouts are available in other formats for people with special hearing, vision and language needs; call 614-293-3191.