Early phase - in bed - limit inflammation & swelling

• OBJECTIVES
• IMMEDIATE PHASE

• EARLY PHASE - IN BED

• limit inflammation & swelling
• maintain extension
• prevent adhesions
• prevent DVT
• prevent quads muscle inhibition
• EARLY PHASE - MOBILE
• INTERMEDIATE PHASE
• LATE PHASE
• GLOSSARY OF EXERCISES

The RICE regime is the mainstay when it comes to limiting inflammation and swelling.

If you can tackle inflammation early, and keep swelling down, then the rest of the rehabilitation process becomes easier. The joint cavity is large, and can hold as much fluid as the volume of your two fists, and when it is tense with fluid it is very hard to keep the joint moving and the knee can soon become stiff and the muscles weak.