How to straighten leg

Lesley_20

I have just been diagnosed with mono inflammatory arthritis of the knee, after having a swollen knee for 11 months and have just started taking methotrexate as my knee us very swollen.I have been told by the rheumatologist that I need to straighten my knee which is now bent.

Has anyone any ideas as to how I can do this.

Many thanks

Lesley

Poppyjane

Hello @Lesley_20 and welcome to the online community,

You have had a swollen , painful knee for a number of months and have been diagnosed with arthritis. You are asking for help with leg straightening from our members. Flexibility and mobility of joints and muscles is really important for those of us with arthritis. So I hope with the information attached and tips from others in the community you will regain some of your former mobility.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2020/november/ask-the-expert-newly-diagnosed-with-arthritis/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/healthcare-professionals/training-and-education-resources/useful-resources/back-pain-exercises/leg-stretches/

There are also some new stretching videos which are really useful and can be followed at your own pace.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2021/october/new-stretching-videos-to-help-keep-moving-and-manage-your-arthritis/

Do let us know how you get on with the exercises and we hope you will join in with the rest of the discussions and activities.

Take care

Poppyjane

jonr

Hi @Lesley_20,

I think this is going to be a gradual process of "little and often". I think the answer lies with stretches, ideally hamstrings and cruciate ligaments. When I started out I'd prep my legs with a wheat bag, then apply a deep tissue massaging gun to the back and sides of my legs before embarking on the physio.

My favourite stretch to do at home is to stand at the bottom of my stairs and facing them, stick my leg out as straight as is comfortable with an ankle on a step. Then I start leaning towards my foot keeping my supporting leg as straight as possible. I can increase tension by holding onto my thigh with both hands, sticking my bottom out, pointing my toes towards myself and raising my head to look at the ceiling. I maintain that position for 20 seconds and repeat the whole thing x4. Rotating my leg via the ankle affects which tendons get stretched.

It'll be a killer at first but should get easier with repetition as you train your body.

Hope this may help

Jon

Lesley_20

Will try this. Many thanks. Lesley