Some reports estimate over 750,000 knee replacements are performed each year. That’s a lot of kneedy people 🙂 Maybe you are reading this and have already had a total knee replacement and you are wondering what comes next. Or maybe you’re considering it and want to know what to expect. Well, either way, you have come to the right place.
The Bionic Person
While you’re no Frankenstein’s monster, you may set off the metal detector at the airport. Why is that? Well, part of the process of a total knee replacement is just that – replacement. The knee joint which is normally made up of bones, ligaments and cartilage is replaced by hardware which may include metallic components. I will spare you the gory details, but just know that your knee hurts after a replacement for a reason. Oh and keeping all of this in mind, I’d advise you to not let your grandchild bury your leg at the beach or else you’ll end up with a sour-faced kid with a metal detector wondering why you stole their buried treasure.
Don’t Blink: Going from Surgery to Therapy
Yep. You read that right. Therapy often starts within 24 hours of being out of the operating room. For many patients this means they are still under the effects of anesthesia. Since the average hospital stay after a total knee replacement is just a few days, us physical therapists waste no time. And guess what? This is only the beginning of a beautiful relationship between patient and therapist.
Home Sweet Home
Sound the trumpets: this is where a mobile or home health physical therapist steps in to save the day. Once discharged from the hospital and at home, the real fun begins. In keeping with best practice, patients can expect a skilled, thorough evaluation of their knee. This will include seeing how well your knee bends and straightens along with an assessment of the incision site. The initial evaluation will also involve an assessment of how well you are moving throughout your home and in the community after your total knee replacement. Once these important measurements are taken, your friendly neighborhood therapist should initiate some treatment.
What time is it? Treatment Time!
And now, the moment you have been waiting for: treatment with your physical therapist. What your session looks like primarily depends upon what stage of recovery you are in. For example, if you are in the early stages of recovery (meaning the first couple of weeks after surgery), treatment is likely going to consist of manual therapy with low level exercises. However, if you happen upon therapy a month or two after surgery, your treatment sessions will differ quite a bit. Either way, your physical therapist is equipped to help you. For example, at our company every therapist has a full sized treatment table, a pulley system and weights. Add in expertise in the human body and movement along with creative exercises and the possibilities are endless.
Acute Time to See a PT
Let’s say you saw your physical therapist right after you were discharged from the hospital – some may call this the “acute” phase. This is a crucial time in the recovery process. Why? Because the knee is starting to heal. But that’s a good thing, right? YES! However, with healing comes something called scar tissue. When we don’t move our joints, we get a build up of this scar tissue. Additionally, during the healing process you have swelling and muscle weakness. Reality is that without the help of a trained and skilled professional, this acute phase is not a “cute” time at all.
The Beatles Were Right
Now to the opposite end of the spectrum: what if you are a month or two out from surgery and still not in therapy? You may be part singing, part crying this Beatles hit to yourself, “Help! I need somebody! Help! Not just anybody!” And you’re not wrong. Physical therapy provides the help you need to start seeing results. While we recommend being treated early and frequently for the best results, there is still hope for a “happy knee, happy me” situation. So what if you are a little late to the therapy party? The age old adage “better late than never” still stands. Physical therapy can and will still help you recover.
Trust the Process
Personally, I have had two major knee surgeries. Even though they were not total knee replacements, I can tell you one thing I learned from the experiences: trust the process. Recovering from a major surgery like a total knee replacement takes time. But with the right coach (or in this case, a trained and licensed PT), you will see results. Your therapist should not only provide skilled manual therapy techniques to help relieve pain and improve range of motion, but also prescribe exercises that will help you meet your goals. You can expect ups and downs in your journey. My only regret: not choosing iMove PT to help me get there. Ok, so what if iMove PT was not established yet – one can dream.
Why Choose iMove PT for Your Recovery?
Although timing is important, so is the quality of your therapy. So, don’t just settle for any old therapy place. You can’t fake results and even if you could, we wouldn’t. Here at iMove PT, we value our patients. Your success is our success. Whether your goal is to walk around your neighborhood pain free, play with your grandkids, or get back to 18 holes of golf, we value your story and your goals. For this reason, we meet you where you are. Both from the standpoint of in-home or mobile services as well as regarding the tailoring of a plan of care to your stage of recovery. We give you our undivided attention along with our years of experience during your one on one hour long session.
YOU Can Do It!
Hopefully that gives you an idea of what recovering from a total knee replacement looks like. It is no walk in the park and you can expect to be challenged. I advise you to think seriously about getting a total knee replacement as it is not a quick fix. Instead, it is a journey of recovery that we look forward to walking with you on. But it all depends upon you taking that first step towards recovery by reaching out to the experts at iMove PT. You can book online on our home page (https://imovephysicaltherapy.com/) or over the phone by calling (636) 893-8312. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to me at amy@imovephysicaltherapy.com. I look forward to hearing from you!
And remember…Stay Home, Stay Strong.
Dr. Amy Heryford, PT, DPT