These are exercises done with the foot fixed to the ground, while the body is moved in various directions to exercise the muscles. They generally do not require any fancy equipment and can be done at home. These exercises are designed to allow the muscles around the knee to be exercised while easing stress on the ligaments. Examples include stepping, squatting, lunging, and half kneeling. The final stages of knee rehabilitation involve balance and proprioception exercises .
Healthy ligaments send information to the brain about the position of a joint.
This process is called proprioception. Once a ligament has been injured, these nerves that do this are torn, and unable send the needed information to the brain. This increases the possibility of injury in the future. Balance and proprioception exercises help restore this position sense by retraining the nerves as they grow back. Examples of these types of exercises involve standing and walking on uneven or very soft surfaces, balancing on one leg, and jumping exercises.