Post-Total Knee Replacement Physiotherapy

What You Need To Know About Total Knee Replacement Surgery

Total knee replacement also referred to as total knee arthroplasties, is a medical procedure to replace the heavy-duty, weight-bearing portions of your knee’s joint with metal and plastic prosthesis to alleviate pain and disability caused by osteoarthritis. It’s most commonly done for osteoarthritis, which is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and swelling of the joints.

Osteoarthritis can be very severe, and it’s crucial to correct the condition instead of delaying treatment. By working with a trained, skilled plastic surgeon, you can make the most of your treatment and live a pain-free life.

There are many reasons to undergo the procedure. It can be done to repair tears and wear and tear on the joint from excessive activities, such as playing sports or other strenuous exercises without proper stretching and warm-up. Another common reason is bursitis, a buildup of deposits (finer bone) around the joint that causes pain. Arthritis may also be caused by arthritis of the muscles surrounding the knee or hip, or it could be a result of meniscus damage.
The surgeon will evaluate all the circumstances before making the decision to perform total knee replacement.

After the surgery is performed, you’ll need several months to several years of physical therapy to recover from your surgical procedures. During this time, you’ll have to use crutches, walking aids, and any other assistive devices you receive from your physician or surgeon. Most patients undergo several months of physical therapy, but there are some who require less time. Generally, the longer it takes to return to normal activity, the better your chances are of living a relatively pain-free life. The full-physical therapy program usually takes several months, but the exact amount of time will depend on many factors including your general health, the severity of your injury, and your recovery capability.