How do I build leg strength in a geriatric client with limited mobility?
I have a 74 year old male client who is awaiting a knee replacement (the other knee has already been replaced). He has had numerous surgeries (quadruple bypass, brain stem, removal of fluid from his knee, etc.) and is a real trooper. He cannot stand for very long so I have been doing most of my workouts with him in a chair. He would like to build more leg strength so he can stop using his walker and use a cane but it is very difficult to work his lower body with strength building exercises. Any suggestions on what I should be doing to (1) build his leg strength up and (2) keep him from getting frustrated until he gets his knee surgery?
Depending on his doctors restrictions and his physical therapists exercises, I would have him do “isometrics” lying on a bed with neck support, I use pillows for my clients. All leg muscles can be worked in this manner.
Have him sit up at the end of the bed in between exercises and do gentle shoulder circles or light bicep curls as he will need upper body strength as well.
Clear any new exercises with his doc