Knee replacement surgery in Northern Virginia is relatively common. A total knee replacement is when the surgeon cuts away the diseased and damaged components of the joint and replaces them with an artificial surface. The knee prosthesis is made up of metal and plastic components and usually comprises 3 components- tibial, femoral, and patellar. The picture below shows the tibial and femoral components. The patellar component is usually just a resurfacing of the underside of the patella.
When should you consider it?
The answer to this will vary from person to person and situation to situation. The main things to consider with making this decision are pain level and what the upcoming 3-6 months look like for you.
If your pain is severe on a day to day basis and very restrictive, then surgery may be something worth considering. Before deciding on surgery, trying a round of physical therapy can be helpful to see if strengthening the muscles is enough to help decrease pain levels.
Even if PT does not end up helping with the pain, it is still helpful to get everything stronger and moving better before surgery so that recovery afterwards goes a bit smoother. Knee replacements last about 15-20 years, so if you are younger it would be important to consider longevity of the replacement and try to push it off as long as possible.
The first month will be relatively painful and you won’t be functioning at a very high level. Swelling can linger for up to 3 months and sometimes longer. It will be 3-6 months before you start feeling back to yourself. Recovery varies from person to person but it is important to look ahead to make sure your schedule allows for ample recovery time.
Recovery and the Role of Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy is a CRUCIAL part of recovery whether you decide to go through with a total knee replacement or are looking to postpone the surgery. In the case of surgery, ideally your first visit would take place either the day after your surgery or 2 days after regardless of pain level.
Improving the mobility of the knee as soon as possible is very important. The longer the knee stays immobile, the harder it is to get it moving again. It is also vital to get the quadricep muscle firing as quickly as possible to improve your ability to walk. You will likely start using a walker right after surgery and be able to transition to a cane after the first week or so. Usually an assistive device is no longer needed after about 2-3 weeks, but this can vary depending on age and other factors.
Physical therapy after a knee replacement usually lasts for about 3 months depending on the level of activity you are trying to return to. If you have higher levels goals like getting back to hiking and working out, etc, then 4-5 months may be necessary.
Get started with physical therapy by calling 703-450-4300 or CLICK HERE to request an evaluation!
