Terminal Knee Extension

Terminal Knee Extension (TKE)

Purpose: Strengthen the quadriceps in the last part of knee straightening—important for walking and stairs.

Equipment: Resistance band anchored behind the knee.

How to do it:
1) Loop the band behind the knee and anchor it behind you.
2) Start with the knee slightly bent and weight evenly distributed.
3) Straighten the knee against the band, tightening the quadriceps and bringing the knee fully straight.
4) Hold 1–2 seconds, then return with control.

Tips:
- Keep the heel on the ground.
- Avoid locking the knee painfully.

Dosage: 3 sets of 12 reps (or seconds/holds if that is how your therapist prescribed it). Rest 30–60 seconds between sets.

Progression:
- Increase band tension gradually.
- Add a longer hold at full extension.

Comfort and safety:
Move slowly and stay in a comfortable range. A mild stretch or light muscle fatigue is okay; sharp pain is not.
Stop and contact your care team if you notice increasing swelling, redness, warmth, drainage, fever, or new/worsening numbness/tingling.
Follow any post-op precautions, lifting limits, and motion restrictions given by your surgeon or therapist.