Straight Leg Raise Flexion 1

Professional Rationale
This is a basic open chain strengthening exercise that helps to engage the quadriceps at a baseline level. It has minimal functional carryover, however is a great exercise for any patient with quadriceps weakness, including post knee or hip arthroplasty. It is important that the patient relaxes the quad between each rep to ensure quad initiation versus hip flexor compensation.

Client Rationale
This exercise is to help to strengthen the quadriceps muscle - a group of 4 muscles that help to control your knee joint in standing, to stop you from buckling. It is the muscle that straightens your knee, and also to control the knee into bending as when you are descending stairs.



Instructions

• Keep knee straight.
• 'Make a muscle' on top of your thigh, then lift leg straight off surface.
• Lift only about 45 degrees.
• Slowly return.
• Relax your back and your hip.
• Do not let your knee bend.

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