Total Knee Replacement Physical Therapy in Femme Osage, MO. Total Knee Replacement (TKR) surgery offers significant benefits to individuals in Femme Osage, MO suffering from severe knee arthritis. By replacing the damaged knee joint with an artificial one, TKR provides a chance to get back to the lifestyle they enjoy. However, the surgery itself is only part of the journey towards getting back to your best you. The role of physical therapy in the recovery process is crucial.
Getting back to the life you want after total knee replacement surgery can be considered a marathon, not a sprint. It demands persistence, patience, and guided expertise. At Axes Physical Therapy, we are committed to supporting you through your recovery, providing expert care, aiding you, and helping you back to the activities you love in a safe and effective manner. We partner with you, your surgeon, and any other medical professionals involved in your care to create tailored, scientifically-backed treatment plans. If you are about to undergo knee replacement surgery or have already had the procedure done and are looking for a physical therapist in Femme Osage, MO, contact Axes online or call the location nearest you to begin your recovery journey today.
About Total Knee Replacement Surgery in Femme Osage, MO
Total Knee Replacement (TKR) surgery, also known as 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 severe knee pain and mobility issues due to trauma, arthritis, or other degenerative conditions. The goal of TKR is to relieve pain, restore function, and improve the daily life for patients who need a solution more aggressive than other treatments like prescriptions, injections, or physical therapy alone.
The Process of TKR Surgery
- Preoperative Evaluation: Before the surgery, patients are subjected to a comprehensive evaluation, comprising physical examinations, imaging tests, and conversations about medical history. This phase also entails planning for the surgery and recovery, featuring prehabilitation exercises to strengthen the knee.
- Surgical Procedure: The surgery involves excising 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 made of metal and plastic. The back of the patella (kneecap) may also be refinished depending on the condition of the knee.
- Postoperative Care: Directly after the surgery, the prevention of complications and pain management are the first priority. Physical therapy starts as early as medically feasible to aid in the recovery process. Initially, exercises concentrate on reducing swelling, preventing blood clots, and initiating gentle movements to restore range of motion. Progressively, the exercises become more challenging to build 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 are taught exercises to enhance knee function and gradually return to their normal, independent life. Long-term success depends significantly on the patient’s commitment to physical therapy and exercises at home.
Pre-Surgery Total Knee Replacement Physical Therapy in Femme Osage, 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, assumes a vital role in readying your body for the demands of surgery and safely and completely recovering. Engaging in physical therapy before your surgery can profoundly affect how your recovery goals. The goals of pre-surgery physical therapy in Femme Osage, MO are:
- Strengthens Muscles: Strengthening the muscles around the knee helps bolstering the artificial joint and can lead to a quicker recovery.
- Improves Flexibility: Increased flexibility aids in the recovery process, allowing 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: Sit with your legs straight in front of you, tighten the thigh muscles of your surgery leg, and attempt to straighten the knee. Maintain this position for 5 seconds and relax.
- Straight Leg Raises: Lying down, engage your thigh muscles and lift your leg a few inches off the bed. Keep it elevated for a few seconds and bring it down slowly.
- Ankle Pumps: Move your foot up and down by flexing your ankle. This exercise improves circulation and prevents blood clot formation.
These exercises, among others recommended by your Femme Osage, MO physical therapist, are intended to strengthen your body for the surgery ahead and lay the groundwork for a more seamless, more effective recovery.
Early Post-Surgery Phase
Discovering the perfect physical therapy in Femme Osage for your post-surgical rehabilitation plays a vital role in ensuring a strong foundation for recovery. Here’s an in-depth examination at the key objectives and exercises in the early post-surgery phase.
Post-TKR Surgery Goals
Your Femme Osage, MO physical therapist will create a tailored treatment plan to help with:
- Pain Management: Efficient pain control is crucial for encouraging movement and engagement with physical therapy.
- Prevention of Blood Clots: Early mobilization and certain exercises contribute to reducing the risk of blood clots, a common concern after total knee replacement. You may also be prescribed compression stockings or anticoagulant medications.
- Early Mobilization: Starting gentle exercises shortly following surgery contributes to recovery by enhancing circulation, decreasing swelling, and initiating the process of restoring mobility.
Key Exercises and Activities After TKR Surgery
- Ankle Pumps: Pumping your ankles up and down improves circulation in your legs, aiding to prevent blood clots. Do this exercise regularly throughout the day.
- Leg Lifts: Lying flat with your unaffected leg bent and your surgical leg straight, tighten your thigh muscle and raise your surgical leg off the bed. Hold for 5 seconds and then gently 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. Hold 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: At first, you’ll likely need the assistance of a walker or crutches. Over time, as strength and balance improve, you can transition to using a cane, and eventually return to walking on your own.
Intermediate TKR Recovery Phase
As you move forward past the initial weeks of your total knee replacement physical therapy in Femme Osage, MO, the focus transitions towards you becoming more independent and returning to the things you enjoy most. The intermediate recovery phase entails a more intensive physical therapy regimen, with treatment modalities supported by scientific research that are designed to test your knee within the boundaries of safety and comfort.
Goals for Intermediate Recovery
- Improving Strength: Exercises aimed at strengthening become more rigorous to build muscle around the knee.
- Enhancing Flexibility: Greater emphasis on flexibility workouts to improve the range of motion.
- Increasing Mobility: Adding more dynamic exercises to boost walking, balance, and the ability to perform daily activities.
Intermediate Recovery Exercises
Some exercises you could perform with your Femme Osage, MO physical therapist could include:
- Stationary Cycling: Beginning with light resistance, stationary biking assists in improving knee flexibility and strength.
- Water Therapy: Water exercises lessen 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 helps rebuild the ability to manage steps safely and confidently.
Each of these exercises should be performed under the guidance of your Femme Osage, MO physical therapist, who can adjust the intensity and volume based on your recovery progress and pain levels.
Advanced Recovery and Maintenance After TKR Surgery in Femme Osage, MO
As you progress beyond your intermediate recovery, the focus of total knee replacement physical therapy moves towards more advanced stages of recovery, long-term maintenance of your knee health, and regaining the lifestyle you had before your knee issues. This phase is about solidifying the gains made during the earlier stages and preparing for a return to normal activities, whether that means engaging in sports and recreational hobbies or playing with your grandkids without pain.
Advanced Strengthening and Balance Exercises
- Squats and Lunges: These exercises further strengthen the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes, crucial for knee stability and support.
- Resistance Training: Utilizing resistance bands or weights to challenge your muscles, improving both strength and endurance.
Long-term health and wellness strategies will also be explored with your Femme Osage, MO physical therapist, emphasizing 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.
Contact Axes For Your Total Knee Replacement Physical Therapy in Femme Osage, MO
Total knee replacement surgery is a considerable but beneficial decision for those struggling with knee pain and mobility issues that are keeping them from living the life they want. From pre-surgery preparation to advanced recovery and maintenance, physical therapy is essential to regaining strength, flexibility, and mobility, thereby leading to an enhanced quality of life. The journey through total knee replacement physical therapy in Femme Osage, MO is different for each person, but with the right team in your corner you can resume the activities you love in a safe and effective manner.
At Axes Physical Therapy, we understand the challenges and concerns that accompany total knee replacement recovery. Our dedicated team of physical therapists is here to assist you through each phase, delivering personalized care that caters to your specific needs, desired lifestyle, and goals. We are focused on supporting you in achieving the best possible recovery outcomes, utilizing evidence-based practices and a compassionate approach to care. Request an appointment online or call the Axes location nearest you to begin in your recovery today.