Imperial, MO

Imperial, MO

Call Axes to return to the activities you love safely and effectively after your TKR surgery.

Total Knee Replacement Physical Therapy in Imperial, MO. Total Knee Replacement (TKR) surgery can be a great help to individuals in Imperial, MO dealing with severe knee arthritis. 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 only part of the journey towards getting back to your best you. The role of physical therapy in the recovery process cannot be overstated.

Recovery from total knee replacement surgery is a marathoninstead of a sprint. It necessitates persistence, patience, and guided expertise. At Axes Physical Therapy, we are dedicated to supporting you through this path, offering expert care, assisting you, and getting you back to the things you enjoy most safely and effectively. We partner with you, your surgeon, and any other medical professionals involved in your care to create personalized, scientifically-backed treatment plans. If you are having your knee replaced soon or have already had the procedure done and are seeking a physical therapist in Imperial, MO, contact Axes online or reach out to the location nearest you to begin your recovery journey today.

About Total Knee Replacement Surgery in Imperial, 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 artificial parts. This surgery is often recommended for individuals dealing with 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 need a solution more aggressive than other treatments like medications, injections, or physical therapy by itself.

The Process of TKR Surgery

  • Preoperative Evaluation: Before the surgery, patients are subjected to a comprehensive evaluation, including physical examinations, imaging tests, and conversations about medical history. This phase also involves planning for the surgery and recovery, featuring prehabilitation exercises to strengthen 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: Directly after the surgery, the prevention of complications and pain management are prioritized. Physical therapy starts as early as medically feasible to assist in the recovery process. At first, exercises concentrate on preventing blood clots, reducing swelling, and initiating gentle movements to regain range of motion. Progressively, the exercises become more challenging to strengthen the muscles around the knee and improve flexibility.
  • Recovery and Rehabilitation: The recovery period varies but generally involves at least several weeks of physical therapy for total knee arthroplasty. Patients learn exercises to enhance knee function and progressively return to their normal, independent life. Long-term success relies heavily on the patient’s dedication to physical therapy and exercises at home.

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

Pre-Surgery Total Knee Replacement Physical Therapy in Imperial, 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, plays a pivotal role in readying your body for the demands of surgery and safely and completely recovering. Undergoing physical therapy before your surgery can profoundly affect your recovery speed and success. Here’s how pre-surgery physical therapy in Imperial, MO can benefit you:

  • Strengthens Muscles: Strengthening the muscles surrounding the knee helps supporting the artificial joint and can lead to a quicker recovery.
  • Improves Flexibility: Increased flexibility improves recovery, enabling for easier manipulation and mobilization post-surgery.
  • Educates Patients: Comprehending 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. Hold for 5 seconds and relax.
  • Straight Leg Raises: Lying down, tighten your thigh muscles and raise your leg a few inches off the floor. Hold for a few seconds and lower slowly.
  • Ankle Pumps: Flex your foot up and down by moving your ankle. This exercise enhances circulation and greatly reduces the possibility of blood clot formation.

These exercises, among others recommended by your Imperial, 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

Identifying the right physical therapy in Imperial for your post-surgical rehabilitation plays a vital role in establishing a strong 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 Imperial, MO physical therapist will create a customized treatment plan geared towards:

  • Pain Management: Efficient pain control is vital for encouraging movement and engagement with physical therapy.
  • Prevention of Blood Clots: Early mobilization and specific exercises help reduce the risk of blood clots, a common concern after total knee replacement. You may also be prescribed compression stockings or anticoagulant medications.
  • Early Mobilization: Beginning gentle exercises soon after surgery aids in recovery by improving circulation, decreasing swelling, and starting the process of regaining mobility.

Key Exercises and Activities After TKR Surgery

  • Ankle Pumps: Moving 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, engage your thigh muscle and raise your surgical leg off the bed. Keep it elevated 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: At first, you’ll likely need the assistance of a walker or crutches. Gradually, 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 Imperial, MO, the focus shifts towards you gaining more independence and returning to the things you enjoy most. The intermediate recovery phase involves a more rigorous 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 intense to fortify muscle around the knee.
  • Enhancing Flexibility: Increased emphasis on stretching exercises to improve the range of motion.
  • Increasing Mobility: Adding more dynamic exercises to improve walking, balance, and the ability to perform daily activities.

Intermediate Recovery Exercises

Some exercises you might perform with your Imperial, MO physical therapist include:

  • Stationary Cycling: Beginning at a light pace, stationary biking assists in enhancing knee flexibility and strength.
  • Water Therapy: Water exercises reduce the strain on your knee while providing resistance for building muscle and the buoyancy needed for mobility exercises.
  • Stair Climbing and Descending: Practicing stair climbing under supervision aims to rebuild the ability to manage steps with safety and confidence.

Each of these exercises must be performed under the guidance of your Imperial, MO physical therapist, who can adjust the intensity and volume depending on your recovery progress and pain levels.

Advanced Recovery and Maintenance After TKR Surgery in Imperial, MO

As you progress beyond your intermediate recovery, the focus of total knee replacement physical therapy transitions towards more advanced recovery, long-term maintenance of your knee health, and reclaiming 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 participating in sports and recreational hobbies or playing with your grandkids without pain.

Advanced Strengthening and Balance Exercises

  • Squats and Lunges: Squats and lunges continue to build the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes, essential for knee stability and support.
  • 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 Imperial, MO physical therapist, underscoring the importance of regular exercise and protective measures to maintain knee health. At Axes, we hold a strong conviction 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 Imperial, MO

Total knee replacement surgery is a significant but rewarding decision for those struggling with knee pain and mobility issues that are keeping them from living the life they want. From the preparatory stages before surgery to advanced recovery and maintenance, physical therapy is essential to restoring strength, flexibility, and mobility, thereby leading to an better quality of life. The journey through total knee replacement physical therapy in Imperial, MO is a personal journey, but with the appropriate support in your corner you can return to the activities you love in a safe and effective manner.

At Axes Physical Therapy, we acknowledge the challenges and concerns that accompany total knee replacement recovery. Our devoted team of physical therapists is here to guide you through each phase, providing personalized care that meets your specific needs, desired lifestyle, and goals. We are focused on supporting you in realizing the best possible recovery outcomes, employing 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.

Services Offered

Services Offered
  • Physical Therapy
    • Pre/Post Surgical Rehabilitation
    • Acute Injury Management
    • Chronic Injury Management
  • Work Conditioning/Hardening
  • Functional Capacity Evaluations
  • Sports Physical Therapy
  • Vestibular Therapy and Post-Concussion Rehabilitation
  • Pediatric Orthopedic Physical Therapy
  • Geriatric Physical Therapy
  • Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization
  • Spine Specialty – Certified Manual Therapy
  • Free Injury Screenings
  • Kinesio Taping®
  • Blood Flow Restriction Therapy

Our Team

Stephen Brunjes
OTR/L, CEAS
Greg Nicholas
Clinic Director, MPT, CMPT
Grace Gualtieri
Physical Therapist
Shawna Morrow
Front Office

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Injuries and pain shouldn’t keep you from moving and doing the things you love.