REHABILITATION AFTER KNEE REPLACEMENT
A rehabilitation program is an important part of the recovery after knee replacement. The program is designed to restore your strength and range of motion. It is very important to regain your range of motion early in the recovery after knee replacement.
We work closely with you and your physical therapist to help you achieve optimal results after your knee replacement. Full recovery takes around 12 months, but after 8 weeks you should be back to near-full mobility. You can return to the sports and other activities that you enjoy.
Post-Op Exercise Routine
Mobility and regaining your range of motion early on prevent stiffness and help your body adapt to your new knee. You should be able to straighten your knee completely and bend it to at least 90 degrees (leg is straight down when sitting in a chair) by the 2-week mark after surgery.
This post-operative protocol is a general guideline that you can follow to ensure that you are progressing properly after your surgery. Remember that every person is different, and your specific progression through the protocol may be faster or slower. Work closely with your physical therapist to ensure that your rehabilitation is successful. Please call us if you have any questions about the protocol.
Click on the exercises listed below for a description and video of how to perform the exercise.
| Exercise | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3-4 | Week 5-6 | Week 7-8 | Week 9-12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ankle Pumps | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
| Quad Sets | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
| Glute Sets | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
| Heel Slides | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Terminal Knee Extensions | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Extension Stretch | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Seated Knee Flexion & Extension | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Scooting Knee Bend | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Sit to Stand | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Calf Raises | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Gravity Knee Bend | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
| Mini-Squats | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Forward Step Lunge | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
| Forward Step Up | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Standing Quad Stretch | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Physical Therapy and Knee Rehabilitation
Physical therapy plays a critical role in your recovery after knee replacement surgery. Your therapist will guide you through exercises and stretches designed to restore strength, mobility, and flexibility in your knee.
Starting as soon as a day or two after surgery, your physical therapist will work with you to ensure you regain proper movement while also protecting your new joint. Over the course of your rehabilitation, they’ll adjust your program as you improve, helping you achieve a healthy knee once more.
To ensure you receive the care you need, we will refer you to a trusted physical therapist that we work with or one conveniently located near you. This personalized support is essential for a smooth recovery and helps you get back to your everyday activities as quickly and safely as possible.
Directly After Your Surgery
We will give you post-op instructions before you undergo surgery. Depending on your recovery and Dr. Nelson’s recommendations, you may stay at the hospital for a couple of days, or be able to rest and recover at home. Here are some basic suggestions for those who undergo knee replacement surgery.
Remember, you can always contact Dr. Nelson’s team if you have any questions or concerns during your recovery. We’re here to support you every step of the way as you work towards regaining strength and mobility in your knee.
If you notice that your wound is red, puffy, irritated, or highly itchy, you may be suffering from a complication or infection. Reach out to our office immediately to be seen by Dr. Nelson again.
Preventing Blood Clotting
While it may seem strange that we recommend moving so shortly after a knee reconstruction, we will recommend that you get up a couple of hours afterward, and get up to move around in short intervals afterward. One reason for this is to prevent blood clotting around the area.
Blood circulation promotes healing and prevents blood clots in the area. Blood clots can be painful and dangerous, which is why that mobility is so important.
We may also prescribe or recommend medication options for you to prevent blood clots (i.e baby aspirin, Xarelto, Lovenox, etc).
Postoperative Visits
We will schedule you to come in for visits at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and a year after your surgery has been completed, so we can monitor your progress and make sure that your body has accepted the implant correctly. We will examine your affected knee, and ask you to demonstrate range of motion.
It is important to note that we do not recommend going to dental visits until at least 3 months after your surgery, as patients are more susceptible to certain kinds of infections after a knee replacement. You will want to take antibiotics for a short period before and after visiting the dentist to prevent infection in the joint.
Dr. Nelson Is Here for You
Dr. Nelson and his team are here for you as you navigate the recovery process after a knee replacement. We are only one call away so you can contact us with concerns and questions. With the right amount of care and movement, you can return to your activities quickly and without pain.