Some clients experience a stroke and demonstrate upper body weakness. Some lower body weakness. Some even both.
When I have treated clients with lower leg weakness after a stroke, sometimes their knee is really weak. Maybe they have buckling at some point? The physical therapist or occupational therapist has to even block the knee when walking with them?
After experiencing an acute stroke, maybe your physical or occupational therapist is always saying:
“That knee is buckling.”
“I have to block that knee when you shift onto your bad side.”
“Focus on keeping that leg straight and tight.”
You went to Stroke Rehab. HomeHealth PT. Outpatient physical therapy.
Your knee is sooooo much stronger.
However, you still feel like that knee or quadricep strength is not back to normal after the stroke.
Maybe you have trouble squatting, climbing stairs, or just feel like that knee gives a little at times.
Your quadricep muscles (muscles at the front of your leg), glutes, or calves COULD be weak. Or even all of those muscles could be weak. It just depends on the individual.
However, maybe you feel like your knee is what specifically feels weak. We are going to address the quadricep and knee weakness today.
What exercises are you performing after your stroke to combat the leg weakness?
Did you have homehealth come in after your stroke? Did you go the neuro outpatient PT after the stroke to work on balance and strengthening?
That's great!
However, were you left with questions or continued goals like...
Maybe you want to get back into Crossfit
Maybe you want to try to get back into running
Maybe you just want to be able to garden again or take out the trash without the worry of your knee giving out or falling down...
Sometimes, clinics don't have the time or ability (due to insurance restraints) to really address these worries and goals. However, you are still having that knee weakness after the stroke. Even thought you can climb stairs independently and you leg is stronger, it is not as strong as YOU want it to be.
So, this is where a fitness program is imperative. I have provided five videos below that could help you strengthen that leg specifically. Some of these exercises might be too difficult for some and very easy for others. It just depends on you.
Exercises to strengthen your quadriceps or knee after a stroke:
Modified Sit-to-stand exercise
Here we are performing a sit-to-stand. Sometimes knee weakness is very common after a stroke and most therapists will have you do this exercise or a form of this. However, it is different now. We are not just focusing on the transfer itself, but using this movement to strengthen our weak leg.
2. Partial Lunges
Focusing on form here is crucial. The knee weakness after a stroke can make this movement very difficult for some. So, please use two chairs or something to hold onto if this is your first time lunging. This exercise really focuses on the unilateral or single leg strength.
3.Modified Box Squat
This exercise is all about power. The slow and controlled movement on the way down combined with the explosive movement on the way back up to standing will improve the strength of your glutes and quads. It is important to pick an appropriate chair or bench height for this exercise.
4.Knee extension with theraband
You can definitely do this exercise at your local gym on the actual machine to focus on your quadricep strength and to isolate that one leg and muscle. However, this is another way to work that muscle with things you have at home. The focus will be more on the repetitions of this exercise due to a lighter weight compared to your body weight.
5. Step-ups
This again will focus on the quadricep and glute strength, but just in a smaller range of motion than compared to a squat or a lunge. You will have less forces acting on the knee in general. However, this is a good exercise to not only strengthen, but really focus on the strength required to climb stairs.
Knee weakness is VERY common after a Stroke
Overall, all I want is for you to get stronger. Everyone's stroke journey is different. It will look different. I just want you to exercise and continue to get stronger. Whether that is through a local CrossFit gym, doing your own thing at Planet Fitness, or continuing with homehealth PT. No matter where you are on your stroke journey, know that you are a survivor. Keep getting better. Keep pushing. Let's get stronger so you can do the things you enjoy!
If you have any questions or are interested in a personalized program for your leg/knee weakness after your stroke, please reach out. These five videos provided are a good way to start, but a lot of you might need to progress! We can start a fitness program whether in person (in the Pittsburgh area) or via tele-visit on Zoom. Please contact us at 412-790-9717 or email at kelly@powerinmotionrehab.com.
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