Knee Replacement Surgery

Physical Therapy Preoperative Total Knee Replacement Examination and Treatment/Interventions
Prior to your scheduled knee surgery, you may be instructed to visit your physical therapist for a preoperative examination and preoperative treatment/intervention plan. One purpose of this visit is to get a baseline of information including the location and severity of your pain, your functional abilities, your strength, the available range of motion of each knee, and your breathing pattern. An assessment will be made of any needs you have at home (e.g., equipment, safety adaptations) after surgery.

During the preoperative visit you will receive information about your physical therapy after surgery, as well as, have time to practice some of the bed mobility activities, positions, and exercises you will use after surgery. You may be trained to use a walker, crutches, or a cane. Whether a cemented or non-cemented joint replacement and whether a mini-incision or standard incision is used will determine how much weight you will be able to apply while walking.

Your therapist will discuss some important knee precautions for you to follow after surgery. The following are some of the precautions that my be issued:

Do not twist your knee.
Turn your entire body avoiding stress on the knee.
Do not impose any jarring forces on your knee.

The Right Knee Replacement for You

Surgeons choose from a vast array of knee replacement implants produced by various manufacturers. Materials and clinical engineering of these implants vary. Talk with your surgeon about which knee implant he or she plans to use. Your surgeon can explain the clinical results of the implant chosen for your knee replacement surgery and tell you why he or she thinks this implant is the best choice. The surgeon's criteria may include:

Your age, activity level, weight, and degree of arthritis
The implant's track record of long-term stability and adhesion - called fixation
The implant's material
The implant's ability to reestablish your normal function
The surgeon's comfort with the surgical instruments associated with the preferred implant
The surgeon's confidence in the implant's clinical success rate and product quality

Your surgeon can choose the solution best for you based on the above criteria.

As with any medical treatment, individual results may vary. Only an orthopedic surgeon can determine whether an orthopaedic implant is an appropriate course of treatment. There are potential risks, and recovery takes time. The performance of the new joint depends on weight, activity level, age and other factors. These need to be discussed with your doctor.