| One of the most common joint replacement | | | | 3. Early Postoperative Rehabilitation |
| surgeries is the total knee replacement (TKR) or total | | | | It is crucial to start the total knee replacement |
| knee arthroplasty (TKA). Despite the numerous | | | | recovery as soon as the physician indicates. Early |
| surgeries performed each year many individuals are ill | | | | rehabilitation will reduce joint stiffness, swelling, |
| prepared regarding the total knee replacement | | | | improve overall circulation in the extremity, speed up |
| recovery process. Below we will discuss some of the | | | | weight bearing activities and reduce pain. Most |
| issues involved in recovering and rehabilitating from | | | | patients will have a continuous passive motion (CPM) |
| this orthopedic surgery. | | | | device placed on the surgical knee within hours of the |
| 1. Preoperative Physical Conditioning | | | | operation. This mechanical device will provide |
| Let me begin by saying total knee replacement | | | | automatic passive range of motion to the knee while |
| recovery actually begins well before the surgery | | | | the patient is lying in bed. |
| takes place. Here's why. Successful knee replacement | | | | 4. Progressive and Continuous Rehab |
| recovery will depend on many different factors but | | | | Some of the goals for total knee replacement |
| some include the age of the patient, the number of | | | | recovery is to walk down the hallway with a crutch |
| comorbidities and the general condition of the | | | | or walker, climb a short set of stairs, fully straighten |
| individual prior to surgery. Patients who are in better | | | | their knees, bend the knee to approximately |
| physical shape and overall condition tend to have an | | | | 90° or greater, and perform home exercises |
| easier time with the rehab program. | | | | independently. If the patient is unable to reach these |
| Many orthopedic doctors will recommend a patient | | | | goals within three to six days, further aggressive |
| lose weight and/or strengthen the muscles of the | | | | rehab is needed and they may be sent to a |
| involved leg to better prepare the knee joint for | | | | rehabilitation center for a week or two or longer |
| surgery and postoperative rehab. | | | | depending on their medical and social needs. |
| 2. Pain | | | | 5. Ongoing Physical Activity |
| I won't sugar coat this one. Other than shoulder | | | | After the knee replacement therapy has been |
| replacement, the total knee replacements are among | | | | completed, it's a good idea to continue with physical |
| the most painful orthopedic surgeries that are done. I | | | | activities and exercise to maintain the level of |
| have rehabilitated many joints in my career and this | | | | strength and range of motion in the knee. Stay fit |
| one gets frequent complaints regarding the level and | | | | and the knee replacement will last longer. |
| duration of pain through the rehab phase. The good | | | | Ultimately the goal of total knee replacement |
| news is that your doctor will prescribe pain | | | | recovery is to return the patient to their prior level |
| medications if indicated and there are special therapy | | | | of function and living environment. Most total knee |
| treatments to help reduce pain as well. Once you can | | | | replacement surgeries have a high success rate when |
| get through the initial week or two of total knee | | | | combined with early, progressive rehab intervention. |
| replacement recovery it gets significantly better. | | | | |