Knee replacement surgery is one of the surgeries that transforms the life of an individual by helping them regain mobility and live without knee pain. The success of a knee replacement surgery depends not only on the surgical procedure but also on the postoperative healing process. Physiotherapy after a knee replacement surgery helps in full recovery by restoring strength, flexibility, and function of the knee joint.
Importance of Physiotherapy After Knee Replacement Surgery
- Restoration of Mobility and Strength: Knee replacement physiotherapy aids the patient in restoring motion in the new knee joint. Post-surgically, stiffness with swelling may inhibit motion so that daily activities may become difficult. A prescribed rehabilitation program will guide patients through gradual restoration of knee motion while strengthening surrounding muscles for better support and stability.
- Pain Management: Many patients feel pain and discomfort after knee replacement surgery. Physiotherapy focuses on reduced pain through controlled movement, stretching, and strengthening exercises. Ice therapy, electrical stimulation, and manual therapy modalities are also available to physiotherapists to treat post-surgical pain.
- Prevention of Complications: There is a higher chance of post-surgical complications from a lack of physiotherapy, such as blood clots, an infection, or joint stiffness. Physiotherapists instruct to maintain exercise that in turn facilitates circulation, diminishes swelling, and prevents stiffness, leading to a more comfortable recovery.
- Restoration of Function in the Joint: Physiotherapy restores the full range of motion of the knee joint. Following a structured rehabilitation program, patients will be able to improve their walking, climbing stairs, and performing other daily activities. In contrast, without therapy, stiffness and muscle weakness will compromise knee function, leading to persistent pain and limited mobility in the long run.
- Quick Recovery and Independence: A properly constructed rehabilitation plan ensures quick recovery and independent functioning in the patient’s life. The physiotherapist customizes the exercise program to the individual needs of the patient, assisting them to recover at what will be optimal for them. Those foregoing physiotherapy may rely on assistive devices for a protracted time.
- Avoiding Future Problems With the Knee: Proper rehabilitation will assist the knee in healing correctly, minimizing the possibility of complications in the future. However, in the absence of physiotherapy, the patient may end up developing muscle imbalances and incorrect patterns of walking and placing additional stress on other joints, giving rise to further issues with the knee down the line.
Takeaway
The patients seeking physiotherapy center near me should try a facility that has probably experienced therapists trained and specialized towards knee replacement physiotherapy. A professional physiotherapist will help them through the personalized rehabilitation programs to achieve such patients to obtain the best possible outcome.
Frequently asked questions
Q1. Can I recover through knee replacement surgery without physiotherapy?
A1. Some movement may return naturally, but the absence of physiotherapy would lead to stiffness, pain, and a longer recovery. Structured rehabilitation will give optimal results.
Q2. How long should I spend on physiotherapy after knee replacement surgery?
A2. Physiotherapy is required in most patients for at least 6 to12 weeks post-surgical procedures. However, the exact duration would depend on individual progress and the overall health of the affected individual.
Q3. What happens if I don’t do physiotherapy after the knee replacement?
A3. Joint stiffness, muscle weakness, pain, difficulty walking, and an increased probability for long-term complications on an overall knee function are all likely outcomes of physiotherapy neglect.