Top 3 Things To Know Before Having a Total Knee Replacement
Top 3 Things To Know Before Having a Total Knee Replacement
Are you having a total knee replacement and not sure what to expect? You’re probably a little nervous and uncertain about what recovery is going to be like. In this article, I have included 3 vital pieces of information for you to read prior to and after your surgery to prepare you for the big day and your new knee!
HERE'S WHAT TO EXPECT FOLLOWING YOUR TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT:
1. Swelling, Pain, and decreased flexibility are all normal right away!
You just went through a major surgery which will take some time to recover. Your body is in healing mode and this will all subside with time and the proper care. REMEMBER: ICE IS YOUR FRIEND! Use ice daily for 15-20 minutes at a time. This will help decrease pain and swelling, AND improve motion in your knee!
2. Lots and Lots of Physical Therapy is in your future!
The PROPER PHYSICAL THERAPY will be vital to your recovery and getting you back to everything you enjoy doing without pain or restrictions! Your physical therapy journey will most likely begin the day of your surgery. It is important to get moving as soon as possible to begin the healing process and avoid any set-backs! The longer your joints aren’t moving, the longer it takes to return to walking. Upon discharge from the hospital, you will begin outpatient physical therapy to further improve your strength and mobility. This is where you will be seeing us!
3. Expect it to take some time!
You can expect to be able to fully care for yourself and return to daily activities within 4-6 weeks. Full recovery and return back to higher level activity is dependent upon your health prior to surgery and getting the appropriate physical therapy treatment. Full recovery can take anywhere from 6 months to a year. There will be good and not so good days. You will feel like your normal everyday activities take a little more effort and time than they once did. Don’t be discouraged if you have a day or two that your motion isn’t as good or your knee is a little more painful than the last. This is all a normal part of healing and the process of your total knee replacement. Focus on the good days and improvements you have made so far!
*BONUS TIP: Ensure that you are getting the Physical Therapy you NEED to get back to 100%! But...how do you know you are getting the "right" and BEST physical therapy? With over 10 years of clinical experience and literally 100’s of patients helped after their total knee surgery, I have identified three ABSOLUTELY VITAL aspects of physical therapy care that lead to success after a total knee replacement. When choosing a Physical Therapist, here are three questions you can ask to ensure you get the FASTEST recovery and BEST outcome…
Will a therapist be working with me one-on-one?
Will the therapist be providing hands-on treatment to help improve my ROM and pain levels fast?
Will the Physical Therapist give me a clear picture of recovery so that I know EXACTLY where my progress is at and how well I am doing?
Are you having a total knee replacement and want to secure yourself the absolute best physical therapy for people in here in Hermitage? If so, we encourage you to take advantage of a Free Discovery Visit today with one of our PT specialists. You can book your Discovery Visit to meet with our team and see if we're the best fit for you by calling 724-982-4266 today!
You can also Click here to read some testimonials from other people who have had a total knee replacement and recovered 100% after working with our team!
Sincerely,
Dr. Anthony Roscoe, PT
*Important Note: Be aware that you are at an increased risk for infection and blood clot after surgery. If you experience any of the following signs or symptoms, notify your doctor immediately:
Signs of Infection:
Drainage from the incision site
Night sweats
Fever
Warmth, redness, pain around the knee Signs of a Blood Clot:
Abnormal pain or tenderness in the leg
Warmth and redness
Swelling in the leg
Shortness of breath or chest pain
At Roscoe Physiotherapy, We Help People In The Shenango Valley Get Back To Active, Pain Free Living Without The Use Of Pain Medications Or Injections… Even When They Have Been Told They Just Have To Live With The Pain!
