Last week, we posted Part 1 of this two-part Osteoarthritis blog series and discussed non-surgical management for knee osteoarthritis. Check out the blog post here.
Knee Osteoarthritis: Physical Therapy Postsurgical Management
There are various types of surgical interventions available for individuals suffering from knee osteoarthritis (OA) to help alleviate pain, restore lower extremity function and overall functional independence.
When patients continue to experience clinically significant knee OA symptoms despite conservative treatment, the patient might elect to undergo surgical intervention. More than 670,000 total knee replacements (TKR) are performed annually in the United States due to knee OA. If a TKR is elected, we at Rehab United recommend preoperative physical therapy (“Pre-hab”) focused on general strength, ROM, and muscular endurance, which leads to better postoperative outcomes.
After a TKR, skilled physical therapy is aimed at restoring lower extremity strength, knee ROM, balance, and improving gait. Research has shown that a postoperative Physical Therapy protocol including a warm-up, specific strengthening and endurance exercises, functional task-oriented activities, and a cool-down period led to improved functional lower extremity stability and walking endurance one year following a TKR. This type of functional rehabilitation is precisely the type of programming and plans of care that Rehab United prides itself in creating for each and every patient, in order to gain optimal results.
Arturo Valle, PT, DPT, FAFS, CSCS, STMT-1, BFR-1, CCI, is a Physical Therapist, Clinic Director of Rehab United in Escondido, and Director of Rehab United’s Quality Assurance Program. As a graduate of USC’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, Dr. Valle has always emphasized the implementation of Evidence-Based Practice into all plans of care. Throughout his 12 years of experience, Dr. Valle has treated thousands of orthopedic-related and sports injuries, as well as mentored countless Physical Therapists and Students of Physical Therapy.