Rebuilding Strength: A Guide to Knee Replacement Rehabilitation
Post-surgery rehabilitation
Undergoing surgery can be a life-changing experience, especially when it comes to major operations like joint replacements. While surgery might be an essential step towards improving function, the journey doesn’t end in the operating room. Post-surgery rehabilitation plays a crucial role in helping patients regain strength, mobility, and independence. A total knee replacement is one of the most common surgeries performed to alleviate chronic knee pain and improve mobility in people suffering from severe arthritis. While the surgery itself is a critical step toward restoring function, the journey to full recovery relies on the rehabilitation process.
Prehabilitation: Preparing for Knee Surgery
Before heading into surgery, it’s essential to prepare your body through prehabilitation. This process involves working with a physiotherapist to strengthen your leg muscles, improve knee flexibility, and mentally prepare for the post-surgery rehab process. Prehab has been shown to greatly improve post-surgical outcomes allowing for a smoother recovery process.
What Does Rehab Look Like?
After a total knee replacement, the immediate focus is managing pain and reducing swelling As you progress into weeks 2-6, the focus shifts to building strength, improving range of motion, and regaining functional mobility. These activities help strengthen the muscles supporting your new knee while ensuring proper gait mechanics. By weeks 6-12, rehab emphasizes returning to everyday activities and enhancing overall knee function. This phase builds the strength and confidence needed to regain full independence.
Conclusion
Recovering from a total knee replacement is a journey that requires time, dedication, and guided support. Whether you’re just starting to prepare with prehabilitation or well into post-surgery rehabilitation, working with a physiotherapist ensures that you regain strength, mobility, and independence as quickly and safely as possible. One of the most important factors in a successful recovery from total knee replacement surgery is patient commitment. Attending regular rehab sessions, and completing your prescribed home exercises are critical for maximizing the benefits of your surgery.
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