Knee Replacement: Rehab

          After discussing what to expect from receiving a total knee replacement, it is also important to discuss how receiving this surgery will impact your short term function after the surgery! Addressing weakness and range of motion deficits will return you to the things you love to do! Continue reading to find out what exactly patients have trouble with after receiving a total knee replacement and what to expect out of physical therapy: 

Patients typically have quadriceps weakness and a loss of knee range of motion for about 6 months until they feel that they have returned to the strength and range of motion they had prior to surgery. Every month of Physical Therapy has shown to gradually improve strength and range of motion following a total knee replacement. In 6 months, most patients feel completely restored and confident to return to the things they love to do! 
When going through the rehabilitative process following a total knee replacement, patients should expect a recovery time between 3-6 months. Having a good Physical Therapist that focuses on aspects such as improving quadriceps strength and range of motion can help speed up your recovery time! Here at Empire Performance PT we focus our process on improving strength and range of motion so all of our patients can return to their preoperative conditions. 
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Below is a list of exercises that will help you achieve your range of motion and strength back to where you were before your symptoms started: 

1. Heel slides 
2. Short Arc Quad 
3. Long Arm Quad 
4. Ankle pumps 
5. Calf raises 
6. Lunges 
7. Sit to stands 
8. Mini Squats 

By: Dr. Kyle Ioos, PT, DPT