Physiotherapy is essential to your rehabilitation process if you’re considering or have recently undergone a knee replacement. Here’s why:
Promotes healing and prevents complications: Physiotherapy helps to promote healing by reducing inflammation and swelling at the surgical site. It also prevents complications such as blood clots, joint stiffness, and muscle weakness.
Your physiotherapist will design a specific program to safely and effectively progress your healing and rehabilitation. You can get home physiotherapy services if needed. You can get it from Advance Allied.
During the first few weeks after surgery, focusing on the range of motion exercises is important while keeping the joint protected from too much movement. As you heal, your physiotherapist will progress your exercises to help restore strength, coordination, and function.
Depending on your surgery, you can expect to return to your regular activities within four to six weeks. However, some people may require longer periods of rehabilitation.
Restores range of motion: One of the main goals of home physiotherapy services after a knee replacement is to restore the normal range of motion in the knee joint. This helps to improve your mobility and independence.
Physiotherapy can also help to reduce pain and swelling in the knee joint and improve your strength and muscle control. This can help to prevent falls and injuries and make it easier for you to do everyday activities.
Your physiotherapist will work with you to develop a rehabilitation program that is tailored to your individual needs. This may include exercises, manual therapy techniques, and education about your condition.
Strengthens muscles: Physiotherapy also focuses on strengthening the muscles around the knee joint to support the new artificial joint. This helps reduce the risk of future joint instability.
In addition, physiotherapy can help improve the knee joint’s range of motion and reduce stiffness. Remaining as much movement in the knee joint as possible is important to help prevent any long-term problems.
Physiotherapy can also help with pain management. Pain can be a common problem following a knee replacement, and it is important to find ways to manage it effectively. Physiotherapy can help identify the best pain relief methods for each individual.
Overall, home physiotherapy services plays an important role in the rehabilitation process following a knee replacement. It can help to improve the function of the new joint and reduce the risk of future problems.
Improves balance and coordination: Balance and coordination exercises help you regain confidence in moving around after surgery. This is important for reducing the risk of falls.
Start with simple exercises such as standing on one foot or marching. As you get stronger, you can progress to more challenging activities such as walking heel to toe or doing a tandem stand (standing with one foot in front of the other).
Relieves pain: Pain management is an important part of home physiotherapy services. Your physiotherapist will work with you to develop a pain management plan that may include exercises, ice, heat, and electrical stimulation. Pain management can help you stay active and improve your quality of life.
Educates you on proper joint care: Your physiotherapist will teach you how to properly care for your new knee joint to ensure its longevity. This includes advice on avoiding activities, how to sleep, what type of shoes to wear, and when to see your doctor or surgeon for follow-up appointments.
It is important to remember that while a new knee joint can significantly improve your quality of life, it is still major surgery with a long recovery period. Be patient and follow your physiotherapist’s guidance to ensure a successful outcome.
Helps you return to your regular activities: The ultimate goal of physiotherapy is to help you return to your regular activities and lifestyle as soon as possible. Therefore, your physiotherapist will develop a personalised rehabilitation program that gradually returns you to your pre-surgery activity level. To find a physiotherapist, you can contact Advance Allied.
