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Straight-Leg Raise to the Front

Picture of a man doing straight-leg raises to the front

These straight-leg raises help you strengthen the muscles on top of your thigh and around your hip. Do 8 to 12 repetitions.

  • Lie on your back with your good knee bent so that your foot rests flat on the floor. Your injured leg should be straight. (During this exercise, your low back should have a normal curve. Your back has a normal curve if you can slip your flat hand in between the floor and the small of your back, with your palm touching the floor and your back touching the back of your hand.)
  • Tighten the thigh muscles in the injured leg by pressing the back of your knee flat down to the floor. Hold your knee straight.
  • Keeping the thigh muscles tight, lift your injured leg up so that your heel is about 12 inches off the floor. Hold for 5 seconds, then lower slowly.
By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer David A. Fleckenstein, MPT - Physical Therapy
Last Revised March 4, 2011

Last Revised: March 4, 2011

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & David A. Fleckenstein, MPT - Physical Therapy

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