After you have had a joint replacement, you may think that you are all set to go.  However, that is not exactly the case.  There is an important aspect of your recovery that should not be overlooked.  That is physical rehab.  This is a process of exercises and movement that will help restore the muscles around the new joint and allow you to resume many or even most of the activities you enjoyed before the knee or hip went bad.

Benefits

As your physical therapist and physician will tell you, there are many benefits to taking your rehab seriously.

  • Restore normal movement – The old, broken or deteriorated bone is gone and replaced with a metal joint.  It may take your body a bit of adjustment to this new part.  Also, if you suffered from a bad knee or hip prior to the surgery, you will need to relearn how to move properly without limping.
  • Strength – As your body adjusts to this new joint, the muscles and tendons surrounding it will need to be strengthened to accommodate the replacement.  Exercises specific to this adjustment will be included in your treatment.
  • Pain – You have undergone surgery.  Your body is reacting to the disturbance and you probably will experience some pain.  As you reduce the amount of medication, you will need to increase your physical activity.  By doing the exercises as recommended and demonstrated, you will be able to reduce the pain associated with the surgery.
  • Swelling – Swelling will be a natural result of the surgery.  That is an accumulation of excess fluid around the new joint.  A good way to dissipate that fluid is to move.  The exercises and movements associated with physical rehab will help to diminish and eliminate that swelling and the discomfort that goes along with it.
  • Circulation – Exercise and movement will help restore and maintain good blood flow.  Your doctors will be monitoring you closely for any blood clots that may form as a result of the surgical procedure.  Regular rehab will help keep your blood flow in good condition to avoid any clots or other complications.

In-Facility Rehab

Don’t be surprised if the very day of your surgery, you will be expected to get up and walk.  You will be given assistance by the nursing staff and therapists.  Starting with standing and taking a few steps, you will soon be making circles through the hallways.  

There will also be some gentle exercises like tensing and relaxing muscles, or pumping your ankles.  As you graduate to using a walker, you will find these exercises are beneficial to helping you resume self sufficiency.

Outpatient

Working with a therapy company for in-office visits and supplementing with home exercises, you will be given a series of movements to increase endurance and flexibility.  Follow the doctor’s and therapists’ orders and complete all the exercises two or three times daily.  Making sure you take regular walks every day for 15 to 30 minutes will also help.

If you have more questions, contact Motion Matters. They have extensive experience working with joint replacement patients, and their goal is to return you to good health and to keep you that way.