Total knee replacement is the surgery done to free the patient from pain and restricted knee motion. Total knee replacement is mainly performed in patients with arthritis as it causes them difficulty walking to extreme levels. After the surgery, or if you are planning for the surgery, you will need a physical therapist as they will help you to regain your strength and range of motion of the knee. TKR is done in very extreme conditions, so the patient's care must also be potent.
ROLE OF PHYSIOTHERAPY.
There are some rules after TKR that need to be followed. The 12 weeks after the TKR are very important for the patient's recovery. Below is the explanation of post total knee replacement and the Physiotherapist's role in it.
A physical therapist performs the most crucial part in regaining functions after the surgery and provides individual treatment to the patient for quick regain of strength and function.
Immediately after surgery:
Rehabilitation begins after a person's routine surgery. The Physiotherapist will also visit you in the hospital after the surgery to teach:
- Breathing exercises
- Walk with walker
- Very mild exercises
- Leg elevating
- Ice applying
- How to deal with swelling
- Reduction in swelling
- Beginning of exercises
- Managing pain
- Help in the initiation of normal walking
CPM Machine:
It is a machine that will help the person to move the knee very slowly and gently so that the stitches may not get turned out. This machine is the best way to prevent the patient from stiffness and scar tissue.
After the surgery, the orthopedic surgeon suggests the patient take as much rest as possible and not pressure the replaced knee.
The first week after surgery:
The patient's functions may start to regain gradually from the first week. It is highly restricted to soak the dressing in water until the incisions are completely healed.
Goals-
- Walk from bed to the toilet
- Try to flex the knee until 10 degrees.
After 2weeks :
After two weeks, it is the time when you start to get to the next stage of regaining functions and strengthening.
Accommodate
- Range of motion exercises
- Breathing exercises
- Strengthening exercise
- Body balancing
- Walking with the help of a walker
- Training of normal functions
- Try to stand up without any help
- Climb few steps
- Walk to the toilet on my own and use it on my own
By this time of the surgery, there will be a deduction of pain to a great level. And during this time, you will be habitual of performing exercises asked by your Physiotherapist. At 3 weeks after the surgery, there will be a significant increase in the knee range of motion. But, in some cases, using a CPM machine is still preferred by the third week.
Goals-
- Walking and standing for a comparatively longer time will be easy.
- You can bath by your own self
- The knee can be bent up to 60 degrees and can also be 80, but only if there is significantly less swelling.
- You will not put all your weight on the walker for 3 weeks.
By this time, you will see a big difference in knee improvement. You can now extend your knee straight.
Goals-
- Increase in range of motion
- Increase in strength
- No use of walker anymore.
- Minimal swelling
By 7-12th week:
By this time of the week, the exercises will be changed to complex ones. Your PT will declare you recovered by checking your range of motion knee and strength.
Goals accomplished:
- Knee flexion
- Hip abduction
- Full range of motion
- Muscle strengthened
Best Physiotherapy center for Total knee Replacement:
By the 12th week after the Total Knee Replacement, you can now feel free to do dancing, aerobics, or any activity you prefer to do. Although there are many Physiotherapy centers for providing services, the best Physiotherapy center is in Gurgaon, providing the best treatment after total knee replacement.
