Physical therapy plays a very important role in the recovery process after knee replacement surgery. It helps restore strength and range of motion while allowing patients to return to their everyday activities faster.
After knee replacement surgery, you may be encouraged to get on your feet as soon as possible. Physical therapy – whether at home or with a therapist - plays an important role in ensuring your new joint stays in good condition.
The benefits of physical therapy include:
- Building up strength in the muscles that surround and support your new joint
- Improving blood circulation to promote healing
- Reducing pain and swelling
- Restoring normal movement and function
- Speeding up your return to everyday activities.
Depending on your condition, you may either be referred to a physical therapist or you may be given exercises that you can do by yourself at home. Generally, early mobilization starts with gentle range-of-motion exercises and then moves on to stretching and strengthening exercise.
Walking is a great exercise to help you recover after knee replacement. Initially, try to walk for 5 minutes at a time 3-4 times a day. Gradually increase your walking time to 20-30minutes, 2-3 times a day.
As your endurance improves, you can start to add more resistance training exercises to further strengthen your muscles, which will take some of the stress off your new knee joint and allow you to perform everyday activities with greater ease.
Our office or your physical therapist will guide you as to the activities that may be performed safely without damaging your new knee. Stay as active as possible while sticking to these guidelines to ensure you have a long lasting well-functioning knee joint.
Dr. Frisch is a specialist orthopedic surgeon focusing on minimally invasive hip and knee joint replacement as well as complex primary and revision surgery. He believes in creating a very personalized experience with the highest level of service. For all appointments &inquiries, please contact our offices located in Rochester, River District, or Tawas City, MI.
