Total knee surgery is a life-transforming treatment for patients with grueling knee arthritis or other injuries or who cannot walk. After the knee surgery, the other factor on which the success of it relies is the after knee replacement physiotherapy that will restore strength, flexibility, and function. If one doesn’t receive physiotherapy, some patients might experience stiffness, pain, and limited mobility that will unnecessarily prolong their recovery.
Why is Physiotherapy So Important after Knee Replacement?
After knee replacement physiotherapy is essential to decrease pain, regain range of motion, build strength, and prevent complications after any knee replacement surgery. Here are the specific reasons:
- Decreases Swelling and Pain: Immediately after surgery, swelling and pain are common. Physiotherapy works to reduce the swelling and pain with the help of some gentle exercises, ice therapy, and manual therapy, thus facilitating better healing.
- Enhanced Mobility and Flexibility: The stiffness in the knee must be conquered to pursue simple daily activities. An intricately designed rehabilitation program is therefore employed to increase joint flexibility so that patients can regain a normal walking pattern and perform bending and straightening of the knee again.
- Stabilizing Muscle Strengthening: Weak muscles surrounding the knee can become a source of instability and falling. Muscle-strengthening exercises on the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf will help augment this support and balance.
- Preventing Blood Clots and Other Complications: Under some circumstances, the patient is prone to getting blood clots and DVT if no movements are performed. During physiotherapy sessions, patients are taught some essential exercises and movement techniques that promote blood circulation.
- Restoring Independence for Activities of Daily Life: Most often, patients will face difficulty with mundane tasks such as stair climbing, sitting, or walking. Physiotherapists will devise individualized rehabilitation programs to help persons with regaining independence.
Stages of Physiotherapy After Knee Replacement
- Immediate Post-Surgery Phase (0-2 Weeks)
- Gentle knee movements to prevent stiffness
- Breathing exercises to improve oxygen flow
- Basic stretching and strengthening exercises
- Early Rehabilitation Phase (2-6 Weeks)
- Walking with support (walker/crutches)
- Strength training for surrounding muscles
- Balance and stability exercises
- Advanced Rehabilitation Phase (6+ Weeks)
- Increased resistance training
- Functional training (climbing stairs, standing up from a chair)
- Return to low-impact activities like swimming or cycling
Choosing the Right Physiotherapy Center
A smooth recovery ensures that one chooses the best physiotherapy center in Gurgaon offering professional guidance, advanced rehabilitation techniques, and custom treatment plans. A qualified physiotherapist guarantees that patients recover safely, regaining mobility and improving their quality of life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How long do I need physiotherapy after knee replacement?
A1. One needs physiotherapy for about six to twelve weeks of treatment, although each individual’s progress makes it hard to define an exact period.
Q2. Can I do physiotherapy exercises at home?
A2. Yes, but you need to start with the guidance of a physiotherapist. They will teach you proper techniques so you don’t get injured and recover well.
Q3. When can I walk with no support after knee replacement?
A3. Most patients begin walking with support within the first 2-3 weeks and transition to walking without assistance in 6-8 weeks, depending on their progress in physiotherapy.