What is a Total Knee Arthroplasty?
Total Knee replacement, also known as total knee arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure that is used to replace a damaged or worn-out knee joint (e.g. osteoarthritis) with an artificial joint. This procedure is typically performed in patients who have severe arthritis or other conditions that have caused damage to the knee joint.
Who is a good candidate for a total knee replacement?
A total knee replacement may be recommended for patients who have severe knee pain that limits their ability to perform daily activities, such as walking, climbing stairs, or getting up from a chair. It may also be recommended for patients who have tried other treatments, such as medication, physical therapy, or injections, but have not found relief from their symptoms.
The ideal candidate for a total knee replacement should be in good health overall and not have any other co-morbidities that could increase the risk of complications during surgery. Additionally, the patient should have a realistic understanding of the risks and benefits of the procedure and be committed to following through with post-operative rehabilitation.
Risks and Benefits:
As with any surgical procedure, there are risks associated with total knee replacement. These include infection, blood clots, nerve damage, and bleeding. However, the benefits of the procedure often outweigh these risks, as patients typically experience significant pain relief and improved mobility following surgery. Additionally, the artificial joint is designed to last for up to 20 years, providing long-term relief for patients with severe knee pain.
How can Hybrid Physical Therapy help with your recovery?
There are a couple options that can provide a patient with the best outcomes. When a total knee replacement has been decided by the patient and/or the surgeon, the best recommendation is to seek rehabilitation prior to surgery, or as some would say “prehab.” This approach would provide the patient the opportunity to obtain as much of their mobility as possible by address tight muscles and other joint restrictions as well as improve their strength and endurance. Research shows that when a patient has optimal strength, endurance, and mobility prior to the surgery, it produces better outcomes.
Following the surgery, the patient may spend one to several days recovering in an outpatient facility or hospital. Afterwards, the rehabilitation journey begins. At Hybrid Physical Therapy, we will provide quality 1-on-1 care to provide each patient with the attention they deserve to maximize on their recovery. This means improving their strength and conditioning, mobility, endurance, and stability. We have top-notch equipment tailored to everyone’s needs to help them recover faster. We provide the highest level of education to help the patient throughout their rehabilitation to understand each step of the way.
Let Hybrid Physical Therapy be the ones to guide you to the road to success and optimize your performance.
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