Straight Leg Raises
Strengthens the thigh while protecting the joint.
What it helps
Builds quad and hip strength while the knee stays straight, so the muscle works hard without stressing the joint.
How to do it
- Lie down with one leg bent and the other straight.
- Tighten your thigh and lift the straight leg a few inches.
- Lower slowly.
Tips
- Keep the knee straight as you lift.
Commonly done as 2-3 sets of 10, once or twice a day.
Where this appears in recovery
Straight Leg Raises is part of 96 recovery programs, most often at the immediate recovery (weeks 0–2), immediate recovery (weeks 0–1) and protected healing (weeks 0–2) stages, among others. Each program shows how it fits alongside the other movements:
- ACL Revision Reconstruction exercise guide
- Tarsal Tunnel Release exercise guide
- Distal Fibula Fracture ORIF exercise guide
- Knee Arthroscopy (Diagnostic / Debridement) exercise guide
- Knee Arthroscopy with Partial Meniscectomy exercise guide
- Achilles Tendon Lengthening exercise guide
- Lapidus Bunionectomy exercise guide
- PCL Reconstruction exercise guide
- Achilles Tendon Repair exercise guide
- Subtalar Fusion exercise guide
- Cheilectomy (Big Toe) exercise guide
- Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty (One Component) exercise guide
- …and 84 more
All exercise guides · Condition guides · Recovery education
These are general exercise guides, not a personal prescription. The repetitions and frequency shown are what's commonly used — your own surgeon or therapist may advise something different, and their guidance comes first.