Terminal Knee Extensions
Strengthens the muscles that straighten the knee.
What it helps
Trains the quad to lock the knee out fully straight — the strength you rely on every time you stand and step.
How to do it
- Loop a band behind your knee.
- Straighten the knee against the band.
- Return slowly.
Commonly done as 2-3 sets of 10-15, once or twice a day.
Where this appears in recovery
Terminal Knee Extensions is part of 14 recovery programs, typically in the before surgery and phase 2 and phase 3 and phase 1 stage. Each program shows how it fits alongside the other movements:
- Total Knee Arthroplasty exercise guide
- Total Knee Arthroplasty exercise guide
- Removal of Knee Prosthesis exercise guide
- Knee Manipulation (MUA) exercise guide
- Knee Manipulation (MUA) exercise guide
- Knee Osteoarthritis exercise guide
- Knee Osteoarthritis exercise guide
- Gouty Arthropathy (Knee) exercise guide
- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome exercise guide
- Meniscus Tear exercise guide
- Quadriceps Tendinopathy (Knee) exercise guide
- Prepatellar Bursitis exercise guide
- …and 2 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.