Physiotherapy For Knee Replacement

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Physiotherapy After Total Knee Replacement

It’s essential to both exercise and perform daily activities to restore your knee’s strength and mobility after a total knee replacement.

To fully recover, recommended that you do some form of physical activity for 20-30 minutes every day or 2-3 times per day. This could be walking for 30 minutes at a time, 2-3 times throughout the day.

At Reform PT physiotherapy, We are more than happy to say that we offer treatments after your total knee replacement.

Depending on your condition and the requirements of your surgeon, we offer a wide range of physiotherapy techniques to help you recover faster.

These include joint mobilizations, manual muscle therapy, stretching exercises, and even aquatic therapy using specialized equipment.

If you are recovering from a knee replacement, you must work closely with your Burnaby physiotherapist to ensure that you exercise safely and effectively. Proper care makes it possible to recover fully and enjoy all the activities you love again!

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What Is The Best Physical Therapy For Knee Replacement?

Every year, many people in Canada get knee surgery. It's common and usually considered successful by patients and doctors alike. Recovery from an injury or surgery often involves a period of physical therapy. We'll go over these topics in more depth, such as the different types of physical therapy exercises and how long you can reasonably expect to keep up with physical therapy.

Various types of manual therapy might be used to treat a post-knee replacement.

What Is Physical Therapy?

Physical therapy is a health care service that helps you recuperate movement and normal body function through safe methods.

For example, a physical therapist can help patients relearn how to walk post-stroke or injury.

If you’ve undergone knee replacement surgery, your physiotherapy will be integral in returning functionality back to your leg so that you resume the hobbies and activities you love.

What to Wear to Physical Therapy

At our physiotherapy clinic in Burnaby, we advise you to wear clothes that will grant your knee access and comfort.

This means either shorts or pants that can be easily rolled up. Also, ensure you wear non-skid shoes with socks to avoid accidents.

Remember that you’ll be walking a lot, so wear comfortable clothing.

How Long Do You Need Physical Therapy After a Knee Replacement?

The amount of time you’ll spend in therapy differs from person to person, which is why we tailor our care to your needs. However, on average, most people come to our Burnaby physio clinic 3 or 4 times a week for several weeks.

Physiotherapy is an important part of post-knee replacement care, as it can help reduce pain, improve range of motion, and speed up recovery.

Depending on the patient’s conditions and healing process, they typically can drive within 2-4 weeks after surgery, return to work in 6-8 weeks, and play golf again in 6-12 weeks.

After your surgery, you should continue doing the physical therapy exercises you learned for at least two months. Additionally, to help keep your knee flexible and build muscle tone, they may recommend additional activities — such as riding a stationary bicycle — after this period.

The Physical Therapy Process

The physical therapy treatments you receive at Reform PT Burnaby will vary depending on your unique situation. However, this timeline should give you a general idea of how long you can expect physical therapy after knee replacement.

Immediately After Knee Surgery

Many people are surprised to learn that they should start working with a physical therapist only hours after their knee surgery is complete.

The therapist will begin by exercising the patient’s knee and teaching some specific exercises meant to help strengthen them. By doing this, patients can typically recover much sooner than anticipated post-surgery.

One to Two Weeks After Surgery

For this duration, physical therapy will concentrate on balance, range of motion and exercise to strengthen. This might involve:

Three to Six Weeks After Your Knee Replacement

When you become stronger, you will be able to walk without any assistive devices like canes. At this point, we will also introduce other low-impact activities into your exercise routine, such as swimming and riding a stationary bike.

Many of the exercises we’ve done so far will be CONTINUED. Knee bends, for example, will FOCUS ON the goal of bending your knee to 120 degrees.

By now, most people can complete easy household tasks and resume regular activities. If you have a sedentary job or one that doesn’t entail lifting heavy objects or climbing, you can return to work.

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Seven to 12 Weeks After Your Knee Replacement

By now, you can move your new knee a lot more and have gone back to many activities you love that aren’t too demanding. It’s key to keep doing the physical therapy exercises set out in your plan to strengthen your knee and continue healing.

However, there are still several high-impact activities you should avoid. To be safe, we recommend abstaining from sports such as:

Reform Physiotherapy Burnaby Offers Comprehensive Treatments for Knee Replacement

After a knee replacement, many patients can pursue the activities they enjoyed before the pain restricted them. For many British Columbians, this surgery has improved their lives.

Utilizing the latest in medical technology and pain management methods, Our Burnaby Physiotherapy Clinic has become a leading provider of physiotherapy treatments for knee replacement surgery.

Our team of orthopedic experts has the knowledge and experience necessary to help you through both total and partial knee replacements.

How should I sleep after knee surgery?

Sleep on Your Back

The best way to sleep after knee surgery is on your back with your leg straight. This allows proper blood flow to the surgery site.

If you prop your leg up with pillows while sleeping on your back, put the pillow under your knee and calf, so they don’t bend.

Try adding another pillow or two if you need more than one. You could also ask your doctor if using a foam wedge would be helpful. Keeping your knee elevated while you sleep can further reduce pain and help keep your knee straight.

Sleep on Your Side

It is possible to sleep on your side after knee replacement surgery, but it’s suggested that you wait a few weeks until you can start bending your knee again.

Lay down on your non-operative side to protect the knee you had surgery on. This way, no pressure falls on it while you sleep. For support and comfort, place a pillow or two between your knees.

What happens if you don't do physio after a knee replacement?

The purpose of physical therapy as a post-surgical rehabilitation tool is to help patients heal and get their functional movement back. We do this with exercises to build strength, posture and conditioning training, manual therapies for mobilizing soft tissue, and other specialized techniques.

Neglecting physical therapy after knee surgery can result in the following negative consequences:

Although other elements help with the recovery process — such as following your post-operative instructions, getting regular low-impact exercise and eating a nutritious diet — physical therapy is undeniably crucial.

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