Undergoing Total Knee Replacement (TKR) surgery is a major decision that can significantly improve your quality of life if you suffer from severe knee pain. Yet, what happens after surgery is just as crucial for ensuring you return to your daily routine. That’s where specialised physiotherapy after TKR surgery plays a pivotal role in your recovery.
Let’s dive into how personalised ReLiva Physiotherapy plans can accelerate healing and enhance mobility.
The Role of Physiotherapy in Post-TKR Recovery
Physiotherapy begins almost immediately after the operation, aiming to kickstart your journey towards regaining full mobility. The focus is on managing pain effectively, reducing swelling, and starting to mobilise the joint under careful supervision. Starting physiotherapy early is essential—it helps ward off complications like stiffness and supports better circulation, setting a positive trajectory for recovery.
Early Recovery Phases: Building the Foundation
In the initial weeks following TKR, physiotherapy takes a gentle approach, focusing on foundational movements.
- Gentle Stretching: Initially, activities include light stretches that aim to keep the joint flexible and aid in easing stiffness.
- Basic Strengthening Exercises: Simple exercises that target muscle groups supporting the knee are introduced early to strengthen these muscles without straining the new joint.
- Effective Pain Management: Techniques like cold packs, heat treatments, and electrical stimulation are used to keep pain and discomfort at manageable levels.
Advancing Towards Full Mobility
As you move beyond the initial recovery phase, physiotherapy becomes more dynamic, focusing on regaining strength and mobility.
- Increasing Range of Motion: ReLiva Physiotherapy sessions gradually introduce a wider range of movements, ensuring each exercise is done precisely to prevent damage to the new joint.
- Progressive Strengthening Exercises: As your recovery progresses, the intensity of muscle-strengthening routines increases to further enhance joint stability and function.
- Graduated Walking and Weight-Bearing Activities: Transitioning from walking aids to independent walking is a carefully monitored process, aimed at ensuring you regain your natural gait without undue stress on the knee.
Long-Term Rehabilitation and Personalised Goals
Achieving long-term success in physiotherapy for knee joint pain post-TKR involves setting personalised goals tailored to your lifestyle.
- Restoring Complete Knee Functionality: The ultimate aim is to enable your knee to function as normally as possible, which includes achieving full extension and flexion.
- Customised Activities Based on Lifestyle: Depending on your hobbies and daily activities, exercises may be customised to prepare you for specific movements, ensuring a smooth return to your pre-surgery lifestyle.
- Continued Exercise Routines: Even after you’ve completed formal physiotherapy sessions, continuing with a regimen of exercises at home is crucial to maintain the health and functionality of your knee.
Some Useful Post-TKR Exercise Tips
After Total Knee Replacement (TKR) surgery, proper exercise is crucial for a successful recovery and to maximise the surgery’s benefits. Here are some targeted exercises and tips to help you regain strength, flexibility, and mobility in your knee. Make sure you practice them after consulting your knee surgeon or physiotherapist as it should always be done under legitimate advice.
- Ankle Pumps and Rotations
How to Do It: Lie on your back and move your ankles up and down by pulling the toes toward you and then pushing them away. Rotate your ankles in circles in both directions.
Benefits: Helps to increase circulation and prevent blood clots, reduces swelling in the legs.
- Knee Bends (Seated)
How to Do It: Sit on a stable chair with your feet touching the floor. Try to bend your knee as much as you can but very slowly. Hold this position for a few seconds, then slowly straighten your leg.
Benefits: Enhances flexibility in the knee joint and helps regain range of motion.
- Straight Leg Raises
How to Do It: Lie down on your back, flat and bend one leg while the other remains straight. Tighten the thigh muscle of the straight leg and lift it to the height of your bent knee. Hold for a few seconds, then lower slowly.
Benefits: Strengthens the thigh muscles without stressing the knee joint.
- Standing Knee Bends
How to Do It: Stand holding onto a stable chair or surface for balance. Gently bend your knee as far back as possible.
Benefits: Improves the flexibility and strength of the knee in a weight-bearing position.
- Step-Ups
How to Do It: Start with a low step or platform. Step up with your operated leg, then step down backwards. Ensure the step is stable and secure.
Benefits: Strengthens your legs and improves balance while simulating everyday movements like climbing stairs.
Selecting the Right Physiotherapy Provider
Choosing the right physiotherapy provider is crucial. Look for a physiotherapy rehabilitation centre near me with a track record of successfully managing post-TKR rehabilitation. The centre should offer tailored care plans and have the capability to adjust treatments as per individual recovery needs and responses. Like ReLiva Physiotherapy specialises in successful recoveries after knee surgery, ensuring you receive the highest level of care tailored specifically for your journey. Their experienced physiotherapists are dedicated to supporting you every step of the way.
You can contact Reliva Physiotherapy to book a home visit physiotherapist for your knee rehabilitation with ease.
Conclusion
Going through the recovery process after TKR surgery with a dedicated and personalised physiotherapy plan can dramatically enhance your outcomes. Sticking to your physiotherapy regimen and communicating with your therapist is key to a swift and successful recovery. With the right support and a commitment to your rehabilitation, you can regain mobility and enjoy a more active, pain-free life.
Also Read: Understanding the Role of Physiotherapy in Pain Management
