Total joint replacement is a surgical procedure in which parts of a damaged or arthritic joint is replaced with a metal, plastic, or a ceramic material called prosthesis. It is designed to replicate the movement of a normal joint.

Hip & knee replacements are the most commonly performed joint replacements, but it can be performed on other joints as well including the shoulder, ankle, wrist and elbow.

Joint replacement is done for the purpose of removing damaged or diseased parts of the joint.

It replaces the joints with artificial parts as mentioned. The goals of joint replacement surgery are to alleviate pain, help the joint work better and improve walking and other movements. 

Why Joint Replacement?

There may be several reasons why the doctor may have recommended knee replacement surgery out of which few are:

  • Severe knee pain or stiffness that constraints day to day activities, including walking, climbing    stairs and more. Sometimes, it may even be hard to walk.
  • Pain while resting.
  • Chronic inflammation and swelling that does not improve with medications or rest.
  • Failure to substantially improve with other treatments such as anti- inflammatory medications, cortisone injections, lubricating injections, physical therapies or other small surgeries.

How Physical Therapies Can Help?

From the traditional exercises to cutting edge modalities, physiotherapists are aware of the fact that there isn’t always a single ‘correct’ way to treat a patient and the best physical therapy techniques are those that make them and their patients happy.

Physical therapies can benefit you in making the surgery successful if performed both before and after the surgery. From alleviating pain to long-term functional outcomes, these effective methods produce results that satisfy patients and generate ongoing referrals. These sincerely effective techniques are :

  • Therapeutic Exercises
  • Manual Therapies
  • Heat and Ice
  • Electrical Stimulation
  • Light therapy
  • Soft tissue mobilization
  • Patient’s education

The physical therapist will provide a treatment plan for you that would assist in restoring the range of motion, flexibility, strength, endurance and overall mobility. Research shows that pre- hab can improve the outcomes of joint replacement and can even help in saving money if everything goes smoothly. The stronger the patient is before the surgery, the more successful surgery is.

If patients have strong and toned muscles before the surgery, it may help them get back to their normal routine faster. The recovery should go much smoother than it would have gone without physical therapy treatment if one chooses to complete a pre-hab program before the surgery.

Talking about post joint replacement, no matter how minimally invasive a surgical procedure is, it is definitely noticed to cause trauma to the human body to some extent. When the human body heals, the patient would experience challenges like pain, swelling and inflammation whereas the severity of pain may vary in different cases.

 In post replacement surgery, physiotherapists are key team members who can implement programs of care with the goal to:

  • Reduce pain, swelling and inflammation
  • Accelerate wound healing and minimize scarring
  • Improve circulation, range of motion and strength
  • Restore functional mobility
  • Depending on your specific needs, a physical therapist may also help to adapt to new         changes in the body and learn how to use certain tools and adaptive equipment.

At the first post surgical evaluation, a physiotherapist will review the patient’s medical history and any relevant documentation from the surgeon. He/she will examine the surgical site and other aspects of its health including strength, balance, blood pressure, heart rate, pain level, range of motion and also cognition. Eventually, the physiotherapist and you will go over and achieve the goals.

The physiotherapist will consistently make reports on the progress of the patient and adjust  the plan of care as necessary to ensure he is progressing well. When the rehabilitation program is complete, the physical therapist will write a summary of care, give instructions and recommendations about things which will help in continuing to progress like nutrition, stress management, sleep and exercise programs.

Final Thoughts

Currently, more than 90% of modern total replacement surgeries are still functioning well even 15 years after. Following your orthopaedic surgeon’s and physical therapist instructions synchronously before and after the surgery and taking care of general health also are important ways you could contribute to the final success of your surgery. Be aware of the things before and after the replacement  and don’t let the effects of your replacement surgery influence the quality of your life.