When your knees are a constant source of pain, it makes it difficult to participate in the activities you enjoy. The exceptional team of physical therapists at Praxis Physical Therapy in Vernon Hills, Illinois, offers physical therapy and rehabilitation services for people of all ages who have undergone knee replacement surgery. Learn how physical therapy can help you return to a more active lifestyle. Call Praxis Physical Therapy or request an appointment online today.
The most common reason people seek knee replacement surgery is to relieve the pain from a degenerative joint condition called osteoarthritis, which gradually leads to deteriorating cartilage and the development of bone spurs in the knee.
As the disease progresses, you typically experience joint pain and stiffness, difficulty walking or climbing stairs, and tenderness surrounding your knee joint.
When nonsurgical treatments, like rest, medicine, and physical therapy, no longer relieve your osteoarthritis pain, your doctor may recommend knee replacement surgery to restore mobility to your knee, allowing you to regain a more active lifestyle.
You may also need a total knee replacement after a severe injury that makes it difficult to perform daily activities or continue playing a sport you enjoy.
Your orthopedic surgeon examines your knee joint to assess its range of motion, strength, and stability. They discuss your medical history as well as any prior nonsurgical treatments you may have tried to help alleviate your pain.
In some cases, X-rays or MRIs can provide additional information, helping your surgeon recommend the best treatment for your particular condition.
Knee replacement surgery is often the last resort and is only recommended when other therapies are ineffective.
Total knee replacement surgery typically requires general anesthesia and a hospital stay, but you’ll be encouraged to move and exercise your new knee the day after your surgery to promote effective healing.
As you become more mobile, Praxis Physical Therapy offers physical therapy and rehabilitation to help you recover during the weeks following your surgery. Your physical therapy treatment may include:
The Praxis Physical Therapy team uses advanced equipment and techniques to restore knee structure, function, strength, and range of motion after knee replacement. You might meet with your therapist several times a week, weekly, or as needed.
To learn more about physical therapy after knee replacement surgery, call Praxis Physical Therapy or request an appointment online today.
