The knee is one of the most important parts of the body and, unfortunately, one of the easiest to damage. Without a healthy knee, everyday activities such as walking become more difficult and painful to perform. When prescribed medication and walking support are no longer sufficient, total knee replacement surgery is a safe and effective option to relieve pain and help you return to normal activities.
Arthritis is the leading cause of knee pain and disability. More specifically, Osteoarthritis is the most common target for total knee replacement surgeries in the U.S. It usually occurs in people over 50 from natural aging ‘wear and tear,’ but can affect people of all ages.
Seeing a physical therapist is imperative in helping you return to normal activities. Unlike other surgeries where rest is advised for several days following the operation, knee replacement therapy begins immediately. The goal of this therapy is to strengthen your muscles and get you used to the artificial knee. Daily activities such as getting out of bed, using the bathroom, and dressing yourself will be difficult in the first week. Once you start building some strength and flexibility, and things will become easier. The physical therapist will also prescribe exercises to help accelerate the strengthening and flexibility of the knee as well.
The average time it takes to return to leisure activities like walking, swimming, golf, and bicycling varies from person to person. A full recovery is attained anywhere between 3 and 12 months. It’s important to note that each patient will react differently to surgery, therapy, and recovery.
Here at Farmingdale Physical Therapy East, our experienced therapists provide the most skilled hands-on techniques required for a fast recovery and work closely with our patients to provide a care plan that suits them. Contact our office today if you, or someone you know is currently recovering from knee surgery.