Joint Replacement Therapy

Physical Therapy can help improve your long-term surgery outcome.

A joint replacement is a major surgery, and without a proper healing and recovery, you are at greater risk for developing persistent functional deficits and muscle weakness. Recent research has indicated that physical therapy can help improve your long-term surgery outcome. Physical therapists are a key part of your health care team, who can collectively help you recover from surgery and regain mobility, safely and effectively.

Do I need joint replacement therapy?

If you are planning to have any of the following procedures or recently had surgery, you may benefit from our personalized joint replacement therapy:

• Total or partial knee replacement

• Total or partial shoulder replacement

• Reverse total shoulder replacement

• Total or partial hip replacement

• Finger or toe joint replacements

• Ankle replacements

• Joint replacement revisions

Before surgery

Assessment

If you are seeing us before your surgery, we will first identify your deficits in joint motion, muscle strength and gait/walking.

Presurgical therapy

The better shape you are in, the more you can help ensure a better outcome after surgery. In fact, a recent study indicated that even a single visit with a physical therapist can help reduce the need for short-term care following a joint replacement. Your therapist can help you better prepare for your surgery in many ways, including teaching you strengthening and flexibility exercises.

Education

Your therapist will educate you in the rehabilitation expectations and goals following your surgery. This includes prescribing a home exercise program, how to properly use a walker or other walking aids, discussing precautions for a safe home environment to minimize your fall risk as well as how to safely perform household chores, job duties and recreational activities.   

After surgery

Immediately after your joint replacement, you will begin outpatient therapy within the first few days. The goal during this initial recovery is to help your body begin healing. This includes managing pain, reducing swelling and letting the incision heal. It also includes learning to walk again and performing initial range of motion exercises.

Assessment

Whether you have seen us before your surgery or are having your first consultation after, we’ll first perform a detailed assessment of your mobility, strength and function. 

PERSONALIZED Treatment plan

We then develop your custom therapy plan using a variety of treatment interventions that may include range of motion and strengthening exercises, manual therapy techniques, balance training and functional training.

Monitoring and treatment

We monitor and treat postoperative pain during treatment sessions and provide guidance on how to manage your pain at home.   

EDUCATION

In addition to any education you received before surgery, your therapist will help guide you through each phase of your rehabilitation with a home exercise program and suggestions for home modifications to promote safety and function.

What can I expect?

If you’re new to physical therapy, we recommend reviewing our new patient info. In addition, throughout treatment you can feel free to ask your therapist and our other staff members any questions about your treatment.