Total Knee Replacement Physical Therapy in Maplewood, MO. Total Knee Replacement (TKR) surgery offers significant benefits to people in Maplewood, MO dealing with debilitating knee conditions. By substituting 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 post-surgery recovery process cannot be overstated.
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 dedicated to supporting our patients through your recovery, offering professional healthcare, aiding you, and helping you back to the activities you love safely and effectively. We collaborate with you, your surgeon, and all 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 undergone the procedure and are seeking a physical therapist in Maplewood, MO, contact Axes online or reach out to the location nearest you to get started with your recovery today.
About Total Knee Replacement Surgery in Maplewood, MO
Total Knee Replacement (TKR) surgery, also referred to as knee arthroplasty, involves a surgical process performed to replace a poorly functioning or no-longer functioning knee joint with prosthetic components. This surgery is generally recommended for people suffering from 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 such as 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 involves planning for the surgery and recovery, including prehabilitation exercises to strengthen the knee.
- Surgical Procedure: The surgery involves removing the damaged cartilage and bone surfaces from the ends of the femur (thigh bone) and the tibia (shin bone). These surfaces are then replaced 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 possible to aid in the recovery process. Initially, exercises focus on preventing blood clots, reducing swelling, 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 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 depends significantly on the patient’s commitment to physical therapy and exercises at home.
Pre-Surgery Total Knee Replacement Physical Therapy in Maplewood, MO
Any surgery, though it may be in your best interest at the end of the day, 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 challenges of surgery and the recovery process. Undergoing physical therapy before your surgery can profoundly affect how your recovery goals. Here’s how pre-surgery physical therapy in Maplewood, MO can benefit you:
- Strengthens Muscles: Strengthening the muscles surrounding the knee helps supporting the artificial joint and facilitates quicker recovery.
- Improves Flexibility: Increased flexibility improves recovery, allowing for simpler 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 attempt to straighten the knee. Maintain this position for 5 seconds and release.
- Straight Leg Raises: While lying flat, engage your thigh muscles and raise your leg a few inches off the bed. Keep it elevated for a few seconds and lower slowly.
- Ankle Pumps: Move your foot up and down by moving your ankle. This exercise enhances circulation and helps prevent blood clot formation.
These exercises, among others recommended by your Maplewood, MO physical therapist, are intended to strengthen your body for the surgery ahead and set the foundation for a more seamless, more effective recovery.
Early Post-Surgery Phase
Finding the perfect physical therapy in Maplewood for your post-surgical rehabilitation is crucial to securing a robust foundation for recovery. Here’s an in-depth examination at the main goals and exercises in the early post-surgery phase.
Post-TKR Surgery Goals
Your Maplewood, MO physical therapist will create a customized treatment plan geared towards:
- Pain Management: Effective pain control is essential for encouraging movement and engagement with physical therapy.
- Prevention of Blood Clots: Prompt movement and specific exercises contribute to reducing the risk of blood clots, a common concern after total knee replacement. You may also be advised to use compression stockings or anticoagulant medications.
- Early Mobilization: Starting gentle exercises shortly following surgery contributes to recovery by improving circulation, decreasing swelling, and initiating 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. Perform 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 raise your surgical leg off the bed. Keep it elevated for 5 seconds and then gently lower. This exercise strengthens 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 comfortable, 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. 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 move forward past the initial weeks of your total knee replacement physical therapy in Maplewood, 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 intensive physical therapy regimen, with treatment modalities supported by scientific research that are designed to challenge your knee within the boundaries of safety and comfort.
Goals for Intermediate Recovery
- Improving Strength: Strengthening exercises become more rigorous to build muscle around the knee.
- Enhancing Flexibility: Increased emphasis on flexibility workouts to enhance 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 could perform with your Maplewood, MO physical therapist include:
- Stationary Cycling: Starting with minimal resistance, stationary biking helps improving 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 safely and confidently.
Each of these exercises ought to be performed under the guidance of your Maplewood, MO physical therapist, who is able to modify how hard you push yourself and for how long based on your recovery progress and pain levels.
Advanced Recovery and Maintenance After TKR Surgery in Maplewood, MO
As you advance past your intermediate recovery, the focus of total knee replacement physical therapy shifts towards more advanced stages of recovery, long-term maintenance of your knee health, and reclaiming the lifestyle you had before your knee issues. This phase is about securing the gains made during the earlier stages and setting the stage 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, vital for knee support and stability.
- Resistance Training: Using 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 Maplewood, MO physical therapist, emphasizing 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 get the best possible results for our patients.
Get in Touch With Axes For Your Total Knee Replacement Physical Therapy in Maplewood, MO
Total knee replacement surgery is a significant but rewarding decision for those suffering from 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 crucial to rebuilding strength, flexibility, and mobility, which leads to an better quality of life. The journey through total knee replacement physical therapy in Maplewood, MO is unique for every individual, but with the appropriate support in your corner you can get back to the activities you love in a safe and effective manner.
At Axes Physical Therapy, we recognize the challenges and concerns that accompany total knee replacement recovery. Our committed 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 dedicated to supporting you in achieving 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 get started in your recovery today.