Physical Therapy After Knee Replacement Surgery
Almost a million Americans undergo knee replacement surgery yearly, and over 90% of those report positive results such as reduced pain and discomfort. Out of them, even 700,000 surgeries are total knee replacements.
Most doctors will prescribe physical therapy after knee replacement to speed up healing and improve the procedure's outcomes. It is imperative that besides recovery time at home, patients commit to prescribed physical therapy as avoiding it can hinder the healing process.
In this article, we explore physical therapy after knee replacement, how it helps, and how long it takes.
When Is Knee Replacement Surgery Required?
Usually, knee replacement surgery is needed when patients:
Experience knee pain or joint damage due to diseases like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.
Have difficulty walking and performing other tasks.
Have experienced knee trauma that has not responded to other treatments.
A physical therapist can help you decide whether you need surgery. Still, it is best to consult an orthopedic surgeon for a complete check-up and recommendations and to explore all the options.
During such consultation, you will also discuss physical therapy after knee replacement for your recovery.
What Is Total Knee Replacement?
Total knee replacement (arthroplasty) is a surgical procedure for replacing the whole knee with an artificial joint.
The main goal of knee replacement surgery is to replace damaged joints and reduce or eliminate pain.
The artificial joint is usually made from metal and plastic parts. During the procedure, damaged cartilage and bone are removed from the knee joint and replaced with artificial ones.
Depending on your circumstances, the doctors will administer one of the two types of anesthesia:
General anesthesia is when you're entirely unconscious during the procedure.
Regional anesthesia numbs you down below the waste. Apart from it, you will also receive medicine to make you feel sleepy.
The surgery takes about 2 hours, after which you will spend about 2-3 days at the hospital for initial recovery. After that, you will be sent home and begin your physical therapy after knee replacement.