Physical therapy and rehabilitation are important aspects towards recovery. Here’s what you can expect in total joint replacement rehab.
Total joint replacement surgery is a surgical procedure that treats patients dealing with severe joint conditions, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or traumatic joint injuries.
Total Joint Replacement Surgery
In this surgical procedure, your surgeon replaces the worn-out or damaged bone or cartilage in your joint with an artificial one, particularly a prosthesis. The artificial joint or prosthesis can be made up of metal, plastic, or ceramic. Total replacement surgery can be performed on any joints of the body, such as the hip, knee, ankle, foot, shoulders, and others.
If you’re experiencing symptoms such as joint pain, stiffness, decreased range of motion, injury, and swelling, you may need total joint replacement surgery. Other than these reasons, fractures, accidents, sports injuries, or arthritis can also cause you to need an arthroplasty.
What to Expect During Total Joint Replacement Rehab?
Post-operative rehabilitation is very crucial after total joint replacement surgery to achieve the pain-free function of the joint and recover from the painful condition.
The physical therapy journey includes exercises and stretching during total joint replacement rehab and these play a vital role in the recovery of an individual. In this process, the patient is under the guidance of trained professionals or physiotherapists who provide tailored, personalised exercise programmes and oversee their total joint replacement rehab journey.
Total Joint Replacement Rehab Exercises
Here are some exercises that can help increase circulation to your legs and feet, which prevents blood clots post-surgery.
1. Straight Leg Raises
It is one of the most commonly used exercises in total joint replacement surgery. To perform this exercise, you have to lie flat on your back with one leg bent and the other leg straight.
Benefits of this straight leg raise include joint stability, strengthening the quadriceps, preventing muscle atrophy, and reducing knee pain.
2. Quadriceps Sets
It is a strengthening exercise, also known as quad sets, that is mainly performed after knee replacement surgery. This exercise focuses on strengthening the quadriceps muscles, which are located at the front of the thigh.
You can repeat the exercise for a prescribed number of repetitions, as advised by your doctor.
3. Hamstring Stretches
The hamstrings are a group of muscles that attach to the pelvis, and the leg bones help bend your knees. With the help of these stretches, you can relieve back pain after the surgery, improve flexibility and posture, and avoid any injury.
Always perform the stretches under the guidance of a trained professional to avoid any risks and complications after the surgery.
4. Ankle Pumps
It is the most commonly used exercise in the rehabilitation programme. To perform this exercise, you have to sit down comfortably with your legs extended, point your toes away from you, and then gradually return to your normal position.
Ankle pumps help improve circulation, preventing blood clots and stiffness in the ankles and feet, and also reducing swelling.
It is important to consult with your doctor before performing any of the exercises to achieve a complete and quick recovery after the joint replacement surgery. You can reach out to Dr. Swapnil Verman, who is the best orthopaedic surgeon in Mathura at Verman Hospital. Here, you can also get custom-made total joint replacement rehab programmes tailored to your specific condition.
