11 Lower Extremity
Hip Flexion
- Client position: Lying on their back
- Care partner position: on either side of the client
- Instructions: Gently lift the client’s leg by holding it with both hands and slowly bend the knee toward their chest. Keep the knee bent and support the leg throughout the movement. Stop when you feel natural resistance, or the client feels a light stretch in their hip or thigh.
- Hold for 30-60 seconds.
Hip Extension
- Client position: Sidelying
- Care partner position: Behind the client
- Instructions: Keep the client’s knee slightly bent and slightly lift their leg. Guide the leg toward your body enough to feel a stretch in the front of the hip or thigh. Stop when you feel natural resistance.
- Hold for 30-60 seconds.
Hip Abduction
- Client position: Lying on their back
- Care partner position: Standing to the side of the client
- Instructions: Gently lift the client’s leg into a straight position. Move it away from the midline of the body until they feel a gentle stretch.
- Hold for 30-60 seconds
Hamstring Stretch
- Client position: Lying on their back
- Care partner position: standing on either side
- Instructions: Keeping the knee straight, guide the leg in an upward motion bringing the toes toward the ceiling.
- Hold for 30-60 seconds
Knee Flexion/Extension
Position Option #1:
- Client position: Seated with back supported
- Care partner position: Seated or standing to either side
- Instructions (Flexion): Keeping their foot on their ground, help guide the foot under the chair until the knee is in a flexed position.
- Instructions (Extension): Place one hand under ankle and one hand on top of knee to provide support, slowly guide the leg into a straight position.
- Hold for 30-60 seconds
Position Option #2:
- Client position: Lying on their back
- Care partner position: Seated or standing to either side
- Instructions (Flexion): Place one hand under ankle and knee, slowly bend the leg keeping the foot on the surface.
- Instructions (Extension): Place one hand under ankle and one hand on top of knee to provide support, slowly guide the leg into a straight position
- Hold for 30-60 seconds
Ankle Pumps
Position Option #1:
- Client position: Seated upright with back supported
- Care partner position: Seated or standing to either side
- Instructions (Dorsiflexion): Cup one hand under the heel to provide support and rest their foot along your forearm, gently bend the ankle toward client’s body using your forearm for leverage.
- Instructions (Plantarflexion): Place one hand under ankle to provide support, place other hand on top of foot, gently guide the foot in a “pointed toes” position.
- Hold for 30-60 seconds.
Position Option #2:
- Client position: Lying on their back
- Care partner position: Seated or standing to either side
- Instructions (Dorsiflexion): Cup one hand under the heel to provide support and rest their foot along your forearm, gently bend the ankle toward client’s body using your forearm for leverage.
- Instructions (Plantarflexion): Place one hand under ankle to provide support, place other hand on top of foot, gently guide the foot in a “pointed toes” position.
- Hold for 30-60 seconds.