Total Knee Replacement: What to Expect
The total knee replacement is currently the most commonly performed orthopedic surgery in the United States. An article from 2007 confirmed that approximately 700,000 knee replacement procedures were performed annually in the US. That same article proposed that with the aging population continuing to grow, the number of annual total knee replacements in the U.S. is expected to reach 3.48 million procedures per year by 2030.
How Physical Therapy Can Help After Your Knee Replacement
Physical therapy is an integral part of the total knee replacement procedure. Not only is it important for after the procedure, but research shows that those who attend physical therapy prior to their procedure have better outcomes. Why? Your physical therapist will help you increase the strength of certain muscles that tend to atrophy and become inhibited after surgery. Strengthening these muscles ahead of time can help to minimize strength loss after the surgery. Additionally, your physical therapist will spend time with you educating you on exactly what to expect after the surgery and what types of things you should and shouldn’t be doing. Be sure to tell your surgeon that you want to “prehab” your knee prior to surgery. Understanding your role in the recovery process prior to surgery is crucial.
Once you’ve had your procedure, physical therapy should begin immediately following. If you stay in the hospital, a physical therapist there will likely have you up and walking either the same day of surgery or the day after depending on what time the surgery was. Early mobilization of your new knee joint is critical for a full recovery. As soon as you’re out of the hospital, you should begin going to an outpatient physical therapy clinic to continue making functional improvements. The longer you wait, the more likely you may experience complications associated with scar tissue. Restoring full range of motion is important for your overall quality of life. Getting a head start on moving the joint will help you regain your full mobility much faster. When you start attending outpatient physical therapy, your physical therapist will show you certain strengthening exercises to help wake up your muscles and mobility exercises to start working on your range of motion. It is definitely possible to “overdo it” after surgery, which is why having an experienced physical therapist to oversee your recovery is important.
How Blood Flow Restriction Training Can Help
Blood Flow Restriction Training (BFR) is a tool used to increase strength, increase muscle size, and promote tissue healing. The best part is that BFR utilizes very light loads, making it safe for almost anyone. It reduces the stress placed on your joints and other tissues compared to normal resistance training. BFR is an excellent tool for many different conditions and diagnoses. For more information, see our page on BFR. Dr. Naccarato is the only BFR certified clinician in our area and we are the ONLY clinic in the South Sound area to provide this service to our patients. Learn more about how BFR can help you!
Considering a Total Knee Replacement?
Not sure if a total knee replacement is right for you? It is important to know that physical therapy can help prolong the need for a total knee replacement. If you are experiencing knee pain associated with arthritis, please do yourself a favor and schedule an appointment with us today. We will perform a full evaluation and discuss what treatment options are best. There are conservative treatments that can help prolong the need for a total knee replacement, all of which should be utilized in conjunction with an individualized and comprehensive physical therapy program.
If you are considering getting a total knee replacement, please be sure to contact us for guidance both before and after the procedure. We will guide you through your recovery and make sure you know exactly what to expect moving forward. Schedule online here.
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Sincerely,
Dr. Connor Naccarato DPT, MTC, CSCS