Joint Replacements
The development of the hip replacement in the 1960s ushered in the dawn of joint replacement surgery and rehabilitation. Jump to 2009 and over 400,000 joint replacement operations are being done each year. The aging population is growing, today's seniors are staying more active than those of past generations, and surgical advancements in joint replacement are keeping pace. That all adds up to the likelihood of more operations and more rehabilitation in the years to come.
Patients with brand new knees and hips walk into therapy clinics every day to start rehab. Often they have been so focused on the surgery itself that they have no idea what to expect in rehab. Lack of prep about rehab leaves some people feeling confused, anxious, or downright surprised when they get to that stage of recovery. Here's what to expect, in a nutshell:
Motion
Recovering joint motion is usually the primary and most time-sensitive goal of joint replacement rehab. Depending on which joint was replaced, your doctor may restrict certain motions. But aside from the restricted motions, it's all systems go. Your therapist will work hard --and so will you--to get that joint moving as far and as soon as possible. This will continue throughout your rehab. Why so important? Because after all you've done, you don't want to end up with a hip that won't flex or a knee that only bends part way. This gets in the way of your returning to full function (think climbing stairs, getting in and out of your car), which is what your therapist is thinking about from day one and every step of the way.
Pain and Swelling
These will be your primary reasons to come to therapy! And your therapist should be able to provide some relief, if needed. Strategies include heat, ice, electrical stimulation, massage or manual therapy techniques, wrapping and, well, motion!
Strength
After pain and swelling have receded to the background and joint motion is underway, you will begin light strengthening exercises. These will progress to more functional exercises that increase both strength and balance. Your therapist will be working to reverse any muscle weakness that occurred prior to surgery and during the weeks you haven't been able to use the limb. Both strength and flexibility are needed to restore normal movement and to ensure stability around your new joint.