Joint Replacement
Joint Replacement
When you decide to have joint replacement surgery, you dream of putting your pain and movement limitations behind you and returning to an active lifestyle. You can count on reaching that goal — but only with the help of physical therapy and rehabilitation.
Focusing on this list of the benefits can help you stay motivated in the early days of rehabilitation as you become accustomed to your new joint and work through the post-surgery pain.
Physical therapy is the key to:
- Easing your pain
- Reducing inflammation
- Maintaining circulation
- Restoring joint strength and mobility
- Strengthening supporting muscles
- Eliminating joint and muscle stiffness
- Improving your balance
- Regaining your normal gait
- Returning to normal movement and activities.
You have a window of time immediately after your surgery in which you can restore the range of motion in your new joint. If you don’t move and engage in physical therapy, however, scar tissue develops that restricts movement and your muscles weaken. The function of your new joint depends on strengthening the surrounding muscles.
