Total Knee Replacement Physical Therapy in Saint Paul, MO. Total Knee Replacement (TKR) surgery offers significant benefits to people in Saint Paul, MO suffering from debilitating knee conditions. By replacing the damaged knee joint with an artificial one, TKR provides a chance to get back to the lifestyle they want to live. However, the surgery itself is just a step towards getting back to your best you. The role of physical therapy in the post-op recovery process cannot be overstated.

Getting back to the life you want after total knee replacement surgery is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires persistence, patience, and guided expertise. At Axes Physical Therapy, we are committed to supporting our patients through your recovery, offering professional healthcare, assisting you, and helping you back to the things you love safely and effectively. We collaborate with you, your surgeon, and any 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 in search of a physical therapist in Saint Paul, MO, contact Axes online or reach out to the location nearest you to kickstart your rehabilitation today.

About Total Knee Replacement Surgery in Saint Paul, MO

Total Knee Replacement (TKR) surgery, also known as knee arthroplasty, involves a surgical process performed to replace the damaged surfaces of the knee joint with artificial parts. This surgery is often good for people experiencing severe knee pain and mobility issues due to arthritis, trauma, or other degenerative conditions. The goal of TKR is to restore function, relieve pain, and improve the daily life for patients who need a solution more aggressive than other treatments such as medications, injections, or physical therapy alone.

The Process of TKR Surgery

• Preoperative Evaluation: Before the surgery, patients are subjected to a comprehensive evaluation, including physical examinations, MRIs and X-Rays, and discussions 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 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 begins as early as medically feasible to aid in the recovery process. Initially, exercises concentrate on preventing blood clots, reducing swelling, and initiating gentle movements to regain range of motion. Progressively, the exercises become more intense to build the muscles around the knee and enhance flexibility.
• Recovery and Rehabilitation: The recovery period varies but generally involves at least several weeks of physical therapy for total knee arthroplasty. Patients are taught exercises to improve 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 Saint Paul, MO

Any surgery, even if the best thing for you at the end of the day, still involves some degree of trauma to your tissues. Prehabilitation, or pre-surgery physical therapy, assumes a vital role in preparing your body for the challenges of surgery and safely and completely recovering. Engaging in physical therapy before your surgery can significantly impact how your recovery goals. Here’s how pre-surgery physical therapy in Saint Paul, MO can benefit you:

• Strengthens Muscles: Strengthening the muscles surrounding the knee helps supporting the artificial joint and can lead to a faster 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 include:

• Quad Sets: Sit with your legs straight in front of you, contract the thigh muscles of your surgery leg, and attempt to straighten the knee. Hold for 5 seconds and relax.
• Straight Leg Raises: Lying down, tighten your thigh muscles and lift your leg a few inches off the bed. Hold for a few seconds and lower slowly.
• Ankle Pumps: Move your foot up and down by flexing your ankle. This exercise improves circulation and greatly reduces the possibility of blood clot formation.

These exercises, among others recommended by your Saint Paul, MO physical therapist, are designed to fortify your body for the surgery ahead and lay the groundwork for a smoother, more effective recovery.

Early Post-Surgery Phase

Discovering the ideal physical therapy in Saint Paul for your post-surgical rehabilitation can help establishing a robust 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 Saint Paul, MO physical therapist will formulate 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 aid in reducing 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 improving circulation, reducing swelling, and starting 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. Perform this exercise frequently 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. Hold for 5 seconds and then slowly 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 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: Initially, 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 progress past the initial weeks of your total knee replacement physical therapy in Saint Paul, MO, the focus transitions towards you becoming more independent and returning 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 intended to challenge your knee within the limits 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: Greater emphasis on stretching exercises to improve the range of motion.
• Increasing Mobility: Incorporating more active exercises to boost walking, balance, and the ability to perform daily activities.

Intermediate Recovery Exercises

Some exercises you might do with your Saint Paul, MO physical therapist include:

• Stationary Cycling: Starting at a light pace, stationary biking helps 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 helps rebuild the skill to navigate steps with safety and confidence.

Each of these exercises should be performed under the guidance of your Saint Paul, MO physical therapist, who is able to tailor 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 Saint Paul, 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 solidifying the gains made during the earlier stages and preparing for a return to normal activities, whether that means returning to sports and recreational hobbies or playing with your grandkids pain-free.

Advanced Strengthening and Balance Exercises

• Squats and Lunges: These exercises continue to build the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes, essential for knee support and stability.
• Resistance Training: Utilizing resistance bands or weights to strengthen your muscles, improving both strength and endurance.

Long-term health and wellness strategies will also be discussed with your Saint Paul, MO physical therapist, emphasizing the importance of regular exercise and protective measures to sustain knee health. At Axes, we strongly believe in patient education as a way to get the best possible results for our patients.

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

Total knee replacement surgery is a major but beneficial journey for those suffering from knee pain and mobility issues that are keeping them from living the life they want. From pre-surgery preparation to the later stages of recovery and ongoing maintenance, physical therapy is essential to restoring strength, flexibility, and mobility, ultimately leading to an improved quality of life. The journey through total knee replacement physical therapy in Saint Paul, MO is unique for every individual, but with the appropriate support in your corner you can return to the activities you love with safety and effectiveness.

At Axes Physical Therapy, we recognize the challenges and concerns that come with total knee replacement recovery. Our dedicated team of physical therapists is here to support 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, employing evidence-based practices and a thoughtful approach to care. Request an appointment online or call the Axes location nearest you to begin in your recovery today.