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Overcoming Total Knee Replacement Surgery

The knee is the most commonly replaced joint in the body.  A total knee replacement (TKR), also known as total knee arthroplasty, involves removing the arthritic parts of the bones at the knee joint (the tibia, sometimes called the shin bone; the femur, or thigh bone; and the patella, or kneecap) and replacing them with artificial parts. These parts consist of a metal cap at the end of the femur and a cemented piece of metal in the tibia with a plastic cap on it to allow the surfaces to move smoothly. When appropriate, the back part of the kneecap also may be replaced with a smooth plastic surface.

At our office, we specialize in helping people in their 40’s-60’s who have had a knee replacement and:

  • want specialized care from the beginning, or
  • tried traditional physical therapy but experienced lackluster results

We get our patients back to activity through a program that includes treatement to alleviate pain, exercises to restore movement, and a plan to get develop strength.  This approach gives us the best opportunity to get our patients back activities like hiking, golf, tennis, and lifting weights.

When someone comes to us following a knee replacement, we gather information and then design a treatment program based on our clients’ specific needs and goals.  The treatment program may include:

Hands-on therapy:  Initially, there will be pain and swelling while the surgically repaired tissue is healing.  Hands on therapy can be effective in alleviating pain and improving mobility.

Movement exercises.  We work on regaining motion in the knee area and teach exercises to be performed at home. The focus will be on restoring movement of the knee. The early exercises also help with increasing blood flow, which also helps reduce swelling.

Strengthening exercises. We use a combination of weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing exercises. The exercises will focus on core, hip, thigh, and lower leg muscles.  During later weeks, we increase the intensity of exercises and add balance exercises to the program.

Balance exercises. We guide our patients through exercises to help restore balance. These activities will require using the core, hip, thigh, and ankle muscles simultaniously.  This is necessary to feel confident when engaging in outdoor activities or exercising intensley in the gym.

Return to sport or activities. As patients regain strength and balance, they may begin jogging, stepping, squatting, lunging, and other exercises specific to their individual sport. This phase varies greatly from person-to-person. We design return-to-sport treatment programs to fit individual needs and goals.

When addressed with a well designed rehabilitation plan, returning to activity following knee replacement is possible.  If you have had or are planning to have a knee replacement surgery, the physical therapists at Movement Solutions would be glad to be a resource for you.

We have a free guide on knee pain health that can give you further insight into knee problems and help kickstart your recovery.  We are available for a free 15-minute phone consultation to talk about how your surgery and discuss your treatment options.

If you prefer an in-person consultation, we offer a limited number of free Discovery Visits at our office.  This type of appointment of for those who are interested in working with us.  It is an opportunity to ask questions, obtain clarity about your surgery, and foster confidence in our ability to help you.

If you’re certain that we’re a good fit and ready to book an appointment, you can inquire about cost and availability and get the process started.

If you’re unsure about what your next steps should be, call us at (864) 558-5020 and ask how we can help.

Physical Therapist Dr. Tim Varghese
AUTHOR

Dr. Tim Varghese

Movement Solutions

"We Help Active Adults, Ages 40-60+ Overcome Pain And Injuries And Get Back To Their Favorite Activities Without Unnecessary Medications, Injections, Or Surgeries."

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