Total Knee Replacement Physical Therapy in Antonia, MO | TKR Recovery

Total Knee Replacement Physical Therapy in Antonia, MO. Total Knee Replacement (TKR) surgery can be a great help to individuals in Antonia, MO suffering from debilitating knee conditions. By replacing worn-down or damaged tissue with an artificial joint, TKR offers a chance to regain lost mobility and significantly reduce pain. However, the surgery itself is just a step towards getting back to your best you. The role of physical therapy in the recovery process cannot be overstated.

Getting back to the life you want after total knee replacement surgery is essentially a marathon, not a sprint. It requires persistence, patience, and guided expertise. At Axes Physical Therapy, we are committed to leading you through your recovery, delivering professional healthcare, aiding you, and getting you back to the things you love safely and effectively. We form a team with you, your surgeon, and all other medical professionals involved in your care to create tailored, evidence-backed treatment plans. If you are having your knee replaced soon or have already had the procedure done and are looking for a physical therapist in Antonia, MO, contact Axes online or call the location nearest you to get started with your recovery today.

About Total Knee Replacement Surgery in Antonia, MO

Total Knee Replacement (TKR) surgery, also called knee arthroplasty, is a procedure performed to replace a poorly functioning or no-longer functioning knee joint with prosthetic components. This surgery is typically good for individuals experiencing significant mobility problems and knee pain due to arthritis, trauma, or other degenerative conditions. The goal of TKR is to relieve pain, restore function, and improve the quality of life for patients who have not seen enough progress from other treatments like prescriptions, injections, or physical therapy alone.

The Process of TKR Surgery

Preoperative Evaluation: Before the surgery, patients receive a comprehensive evaluation, including physical examinations, imaging tests, and conversations about medical history. This phase also entails planning for the surgery and recovery, featuring prehabilitation exercises to fortify the knee.
Surgical Procedure: The surgery entails removing the damaged cartilage and bone surfaces from the ends of the femur (thigh bone) and the tibia (shin bone). These surfaces are then substituted with artificial components constructed from metal and plastic. The back of the patella (kneecap) may also be resurfaced based on the condition of the knee.
Postoperative Care: Immediately after the surgery, the prevention of complications and pain management are the first priority. Physical therapy begins as early as medically feasible to assist in the recovery process. Initially, exercises concentrate on reducing swelling, preventing blood clots, and beginning gentle movements to restore range of motion. Progressively, the exercises become more intense to strengthen the muscles around the knee and improve flexibility.
Recovery and Rehabilitation: The recovery period differs but typically requires at least several weeks of physical therapy for total knee arthroplasty. Patients learn exercises to improve knee function and progressively return to their normal, independent life. Long-term success depends significantly on the patient’s dedication to physical therapy and exercises at home.

Total Knee Replacement Physical Therapy in Antonia, MO | TKR Recovery | Physical Therapy Near Antonia

Pre-Surgery Total Knee Replacement Physical Therapy in Antonia, MO

Any surgery, though it may be ultimately in your best interest, will always result in some degree of trauma to your tissues. Prehabilitation, or pre-surgery physical therapy, holds a critical role in readying your body for the demands of surgery and the recovery process. Undergoing physical therapy before your surgery can significantly impact your recovery speed and success. Here’s how pre-surgery physical therapy in Antonia, MO can benefit you:

Strengthens Muscles: Strengthening the muscles surrounding the knee helps supporting the new joint and can lead to a quicker recovery.
Improves Flexibility: Increased flexibility improves recovery, enabling for easier manipulation and mobilization post-surgery.
Educates Patients: Understanding the recovery process, exercises, and the use of assistive devices before surgery reduces post-operative anxiety.

Key Pre-Surgery Exercises

While the specifics of each program will depend on your unique total knee replacement surgery and recovery, your prehabilitation may involve:

Quad Sets: Position yourself with your legs straight in front of you, contract the thigh muscles of your surgery leg, and try to straighten the knee. Maintain this position for 5 seconds and relax.
Straight Leg Raises: Lying down, tighten your thigh muscles and lift your leg a few inches off the floor. Hold for a few seconds and bring it down slowly.
Ankle Pumps: Flex your foot up and down by flexing your ankle. This exercise improves circulation and helps prevent blood clot formation.

These exercises, along with other treatment modalities recommended by your Antonia, MO physical therapist, are designed to fortify your body for the surgery ahead and set the foundation for a smoother, more effective recovery.

Early Post-Surgery Phase

Finding the perfect physical therapy in Antonia for your post-surgical rehabilitation can help securing a solid foundation for recovery. Here’s a closer look at the core aims and exercises in the early post-surgery phase.

Post-TKR Surgery Goals

Your Antonia, MO physical therapist will formulate a customized treatment plan to help with:

Pain Management: Efficient pain control is vital for promoting movement and engagement with physical therapy.
Prevention of Blood Clots: Early mobilization and certain exercises help reduce the risk of blood clots, a frequent issue after total knee replacement. You may also be advised to use compression stockings or anticoagulant medications.
Early Mobilization: Starting gentle exercises soon after surgery contributes to recovery by enhancing circulation, decreasing swelling, and initiating the process of regaining mobility.

Key Exercises and Activities After TKR Surgery

Ankle Pumps: Pumping your ankles up and down enhances circulation in your legs, helping to prevent blood clots. Do this exercise frequently throughout the day.
Leg Lifts: Lying flat with your unaffected leg bent and your surgical leg straight, tighten your thigh muscle and lift your surgical leg off the bed. Hold for 5 seconds and then slowly lower. This exercise builds your quadriceps and improves knee stability.
Knee Bends (Seated and Lying):
- Seated: Sit in a chair with your feet flat on the ground. Gradually slide your foot back under the chair as far as possible, bending the knee. Maintain for a few seconds and slide back.
- Lying: Lying on your back, place a small rolled towel under your ankle. Bend your knee by sliding your foot towards your buttocks, keeping your heel on the bed.
Use of Walking Aids: Initially, you’ll likely need the assistance of a walker or crutches. Gradually, as strength and balance improve, you can move to using a cane, and eventually return to walking on your own.

Intermediate TKR Recovery Phase

As you progress past the initial weeks of your total knee replacement physical therapy in Antonia, MO, the focus transitions towards you becoming more independent and getting back to the things you enjoy most. The intermediate recovery phase involves a more rigorous physical therapy regimen, with treatment modalities backed by science that are designed to challenge your knee within the boundaries of safety and comfort.

Goals for Intermediate Recovery

Improving Strength: Exercises aimed at strengthening become more intense to build muscle around the knee.
Enhancing Flexibility: Increased emphasis on stretching exercises to enhance the range of motion.
Increasing Mobility: Adding more active exercises to boost walking, balance, and the ability to perform daily activities.

Intermediate Recovery Exercises

Some exercises you could practice with your Antonia, MO physical therapist include:

Stationary Cycling: Starting with light resistance, stationary biking assists in enhancing knee flexibility and strength.
Water Therapy: Water exercises reduce the strain on your knee while providing resistance for strengthening and the buoyancy required for mobility exercises.
Stair Climbing and Descending: Working on stair climbing under supervision aims to rebuild the skill to navigate steps with safety and confidence.

Each of these exercises ought to be performed under the guidance of your Antonia, MO physical therapist, who is able to tailor the intensity and volume based on your recovery progress and pain levels.

Advanced Recovery and Maintenance After TKR Surgery in Antonia, MO

As you move beyond your intermediate recovery, the focus of total knee replacement physical therapy moves towards more advanced recovery, long-term maintenance of your knee health, and restoring the lifestyle you had before your knee issues. This phase is about consolidating the gains made during the earlier stages and getting ready for a return to normal activities, whether that means returning to sports and recreational hobbies or playing with your grandkids without pain.

Advanced Strengthening and Balance Exercises

Squats and Lunges: Squats and lunges further strengthen the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes, vital for knee support and stability.
Resistance Training: Utilizing resistance bands or weights to challenge your muscles, enhancing both strength and endurance.

Long-term health and wellness strategies will also be explored with your Antonia, MO physical therapist, underscoring the importance of regular exercise and protective measures to maintain knee health. At Axes, we strongly believe in patient education as a way to secure the best possible results for our patients.

Call Axes For Your Total Knee Replacement Physical Therapy in Antonia, MO

Total knee replacement surgery is a major but rewarding decision for those dealing with debilitating knee pain and mobility issues. From the preparatory stages before surgery to the later stages of recovery and ongoing maintenance, physical therapy is essential to restoring strength, flexibility, and mobility, which leads to an improved quality of life. The journey through total knee replacement physical therapy in Antonia, MO is different for each person, but with the appropriate support in your corner you can get back to the activities you love with safety and effectiveness.

At Axes Physical Therapy, we understand the challenges and concerns that accompany total knee replacement recovery. Our devoted team of physical therapists is here to support you through each phase, delivering personalized care that addresses your specific needs, desired lifestyle, and goals. We are focused on supporting you in achieving the best possible recovery outcomes, leveraging evidence-based practices and a caring approach to care. Request an appointment online or call the Axes location nearest you to begin in your recovery today.