Recovery after Hip or Knee Replacement
Updated: Jul 3, 2022
Postoperative rehabilitation is of the utmost importance following total joint replacement in order to ensure pain-free function of the joint and improve the patient's quality of life (QOL).
The road to recovery after surgery can be uncertain, but with physiotherapy, we can strengthen and recondition your joints through a personalized exercise program to suit your lifestyle. Here is what you can expect.
Manage that Swelling
Swelling around the leg is common after surgery, which can limit mobility and cause the surrounding muscles to be ineffective. Elevating and applying compression in the initial period will get those muscles firing and joint mobility back quickly.
Condition Other Muscles
Most exercises will be targeted towards the operated leg, but it is equally important to maintain the strength of the other leg as well to manage overuse on the stronger side.
Trust the Process
Things may feel bad now and you may experience difficulty even just getting around the house, but we have a plan in place to make it better. Consistently taking small steps with your physiotherapist in the right direction will lead to big results over time.
An article by Harvard Health found that recovery for patients who did their rehabilitation at home was similar to that if they were in the hospital. In fact, home rehabilitation is convenient and cost-saving in the long run, without having to spend the time to travel down to clinics to make appointments, and the empowerment to complete exercises in the comfort of one's own home.
It is also in the best interest of public healthcare to channel patients to home rehabilitation so that resources can be channeled for treatment that can only be done in the hospitals.
START EARLY! Starting rehab as early as within a week of hospital discharge can significantly reduce the incidence of post-op infection and save costs on medical expenses in the long run.
