When it comes to knee replacement surgery, physical therapy is an important part of your recovery. To replace your diseased joint is not enough. Instead, you must engage in physical therapy exercises to help the muscles, ligaments and tendons heal properly around your knee and improve your range of motion. Your physical therapist also can help you set recovery goals and ensure you are not pushing beyond your limits.
Advises You Post-Surgery
While you are still in the hospital, your physical therapist will advise you on the proper way to move your knee following surgery. This is helpful because you may otherwise be unsure how much you can straighten or bend the knee and how much weight you can put on the knee. Your therapist also will show you some exercises you can perform throughout the day to strengthen your muscles and improve range of motion.
Shows You How to Do Everyday Activities
When you undergo a knee replacement, activities like climbing the stairs and getting into and out of a car can seem challenging. A physical therapist helps perform knee rehabilitation by instructing you on the activities you need to perform to complete your daily life. If you choose to go to a rehabilitation hospital following surgery, your therapist may use equipment like steps to help you practice these activities. If you have any other job-related activities or personal goals you would like to achieve, share these with your physical therapist.
Checks Your Progress
Throughout your physical therapy, your therapist will evaluate your progress, including how far you can now bend your knee and how strong your muscles have become. Your physical therapist can act as a motivational coach who holds you accountable for regularly performing your exercises and ensures you are not pushing yourself too hard. Your therapist will typically work with you on your knee rehabilitation for six to eight weeks, at which time you may be released to continue at-home exercises.
Demonstrates/Assists with Exercises
Knee exercises such as straight leg lifts, half squats and ankle pumps are often performed to strengthen your knees after rehabilitation. However, if you perform these exercises improperly, you could strain your new knee joint. A physical therapist can demonstrate and assist you perform exercises that will speed your recovery. As the weeks pass following surgery, your physical therapist may recommend additional exercises or incorporate weights, resistance bands and other physical therapy devices to increase the difficulty of your exercises.
