Physical Therapy

Depending on the time of your surgery, you may
begin your physical therapy on the same day. Your
knee rehabilitation program is ordered by your
surgeon and done under his supervision and/or
control. Isometric exercises (tightening muscles
without moving the joint) will begin while you are
still in bed. You will be instructed to do these
exercises a number of times per day. You will be
encouraged by the physical therapist to move your
ankle and other joints so you will remain strong.
These exercises will help you regain strength and
mobility. The therapist will teach you the safest
methods for getting in and out of bed or a chair, and
on and off the toilet. You will be taught the do’s and
don’ts of joint replacement recovery.
The day after surgery, you will probably begin
walking and exercising your knee joint. The exercises
will probably be done twice daily. Initially, the
physical therapist will assist you in getting out of
bed and standing at the bedside with a walker. For
your entire hospital stay, you will walk with a walker
or crutches under the supervision of a therapist.
Your walking distance will gradually increase.
When you are strong enough, you will be able to
walk without the support of the immobilizer.

You will probably begin range of motion exercises on
your first postoperative day. Through progressive
daily exercises, you may achieve about a 90-degree
bend in the knee joint by the time you leave the hospital.
Bending your knee during the exercises may be
painful. Pain medication taken before therapy will
make the exercises more comfortable. Ice packs, hot
packs and other treatments may be used to assist
you in bending your knee.
The therapist will check your progress daily and
will keep your surgeon informed.

Progress

The usual hospital stay for knee replacement
surgery is three to five days. Depending on your
progress, you will probably gain independence
within one week after surgery. To accommodate
sitting, there will be an elevated chair and toilet
available for your use. An elevated toilet seat will
also be ordered for you to take home. At home,
you will need a firm chair with arms.
The therapist will teach you how to dress, get out
of bed without help and use a walker or crutches.
You will continue strengthening exercises in
preparation for your return home.
It is important for you to comply with your
surgeon’s directions and follow proper positioning
techniques throughout your rehabilitation. Since
you will no longer be in the hospital, arrangements
will be made for someone to remove the sutures or
skin clips about 10 days after surgery. It is not
uncommon to still experience some pain. The full
recovery period normally lasts three to six months.