Femoral Nerve Radiculopathy Intermediate Exercise Programme
Aim to perform this programme a minimum of once per day unless prescribed otherwise. As with any new exercise, start slowly (repetitions as able) and build up as you are able within the guidelines below.
Pain should not exceed 3/10 whilst completing this exercise programme.
1. Forward bending in standing
- Start standing upright.
- Place your hands on your thighs.
- Take a breath in.
- As you exhale slide your hands down your legs allowing your back to bend as you do.
- Go down as far as you feel comfortable and then slowly return to standing.
2. Sit to stand
- Sit in a stable chair that is at a convenient height for you to rise from.
- Shuffle forward in the chair so that your feet are directly under your knees.
- In a controlled manner, initiate a standing motion by shifting your weight forward and pushing down through your feet.
- As you rise, transition to standing upright by pushing your hips forward.
3. Bridge with leg lift
- Lie on your back on the floor or bed with your knees bent at 90 degrees and your feet on the floor and your arms down by your side.
- Push your heels down into the floor to gently lift your hips upwards. Lift as high as you feel comfortable but no higher than a straight line between hips, knees and shoulders.
- If you feel discomfort, then try squeezing your tummy and bum muscles before starting the lift.
- From this position lift one leg slightly off the floor and return.
- Repeat on the opposite side.
- Try and keep the pelvis still.
We recommend consulting a musculoskeletal physiotherapist to ensure exercises are best suited to your recovery. If you are carrying out an exercise regime without consulting a healthcare professional, you do so at your own risk. If you have any concerns whilst completing these exercises, please contact a healthcare professional.
More Plans
This plan aims to restore/maintain movement in the spine due to the fact this is the most commonplace for symptoms to originate. This should not exceed any more than 3/10 on your perceived pain scale.
- 0
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 910
This moves on from the intermediate exercises with more progressive and challenging exercises, particularly in strength. The exercises also move towards more functional positions to help ensure a return to normal daily activities. This should not exceed any more than 3/10 on your perceived pain scale.
- 0
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 910