We recently had the pleasure of working closely with a triathlete who underwent a knee replacement. He was in his early fifties and had gone through numerous challenges with his knee, years of training and running having finally built up (and slowed him down).
Meniscus tears, arthritis, and chronic inflammation kept him from doing what he loved most. There were arthroscopic knee surgeries and injections, always followed by therapy. While this patient began his recovery journey 100 percent focused on rehabilitation, he experienced short term gains, and eventually reached a fork in the road. There was no other option than total joint replacement for his knee – that is, other than giving up his sport altogether.
After the joint replacement, the patient again, committed 100% to his recovery. He worked diligently, side by side with a Spooner therapist, typically for 2-3 visits a week, and put in many hours on his own. Very soon after surgery, this patient returned to his bicycle, with impressive range of motion. Now, there are days he bikes 50 to 100 miles across the Arizona desert; he also enjoys yoga, swimming and even running once in a while. Thanks to his total joint replacement, he doesn’t have to give up the things he loves or his quality of life.
But, the key to a successful joint replacement lies in the rehab, specifically in effective, targeted physical therapy.
Therapy: time to get moving!
For many patients, especially our seniors, therapy for joint replacement may begin even before the surgery occurs. We call this “pre-rehab”. It’s an exercise program designed to create stronger habits – habits of exercise, stretching, moving. The stronger you go into surgery, the better your outcomes will be when in recovery. It’s that simple.
After joint replacement surgery, it is important that every patient goes through rehabilitation. The key is to move – no delays! This means you’ll start moving right there in the hospital, as soon as a therapist can get you out of bed and get you moving. After all, there’s a completely foreign object in your body – you need to teach your body how to connect with it and work with it for smooth, safe movements.
Many things you may have taken for granted in the past will need to be relearned. Imagine, getting on and off the toilet. Getting in and out of bed. Going up and down a curb. Getting the mail. These seemingly simple, every day activities present an entirely new challenge with a new joint. Physical therapy will help create new signals for your brain and will teach better movement habits. Think of it like a “new norm” for your body.
What to expect
Individuals who undergo a joint replacement can expect therapy for approximately six weeks post-surgery. It’s not just about checking boxes and hitting certain exercises; therapy is very much designed to meet your body where it’s at and to take you to a new level of health through movement.
Therapists will assess your joint range of motion, for sure. They will also evaluate how you walk, and squat and move, while evaluating your entire body. Remember, everything is connected, and it has probably been a while since you have moved without pain. They’ll question everything: why did you have pain and injury to the joint in the first place? Where are you feeling stress and what’s causing it? Therapists will look above and below your knee or hip, along the full kinetic chain, for answers. And, be prepared: your therapy may be painful…in fact, expect pain. To reach a full range of motion, therapists will have to use their skills to address any soft tissue or joint restriction that limits movement. Swelling and stiffness are very common early on.
Be patient with yourself as you go through your recovery journey – your body is accepting its new joint, learning to work with it, forming new and vital nerve connections and more. These things don’t happen overnight. Good news: Your therapist is your partner in recovery. Together, you will work through the process and get you moving and back to life.