Physical Therapy and Leg Exercises after Knee Surgery

Physical Therapy – Excellent way to recover after knee surgery

Knee pain can be caused by several factors – sport injuries, accidents, arthritis, knee joint diseases, slips and falls. Prolonged stress on the knees and joints can lead to chronic pain which often ends in knee surgery. Based on the type of surgery you undergo, the recovery period and the rehabilitation procedure may vary. This article discusses how physical therapy can help patients recover after knee surgery.

Knee pain, if unattended, can lead to serious problems like knee ligament damage, bone bruises, tendinitis, edema, meniscal tears, and much more. Sometimes, these situations may lead to surgery. Physical therapy is considered an active rehabilitation program that can help to manage the pain and reduce the functional disability associated with it

What you can expect from a physical therapy rehab program

No matter what type of knee surgery you undergo, physical therapy rehabilitation offers the right combination of therapies and exercises to help you to return to your normal life. A supervised treatment plan helps you attain the following objectives:

Alleviate the pain in the knee
Improve knee function and achieve improved range of motion
Gain independence
Restore strength and flexibility of knee
Protect against future injuries

Get physical therapy treatment from an expert

Seek physical therapy services from a specialist in the field. An experienced physical therapist can recommend the right exercises to ease your condition.

To speed up the recovery process, it is important to perform physical therapy exercises on a regular basis. They are broadly classified into

Stretching exercises – Simple non-weight bearing exercises are recommended to relax the anterior portion of the leg.
Isometric strengthening exercise –Another important step after knee surgery is to build strength through muscle contraction. This can be achieved with the help of strengthening exercises.
Hip extension exercises to strengthen the gluteal muscles.
Quadricep strengthening exercise – The quadricep is the most important knee muscle that helps the correct positioning of the knee cap. To strengthen it, quad sets are performed.

Among the various passive therapies, ice and heat application is considered as the most effective. Prior to the exercise regime, heat and cold packs are used alternatively to relieve pain. Cold packs are not directly applied as this may harm the skin tissue. Instead, a soft towel is kept between the pack and the skin. This reduces inflammation. Heat packs are found highly beneficial to induce vasodilation and it reduces muscle spasm. Moreover, it increases the blood circulation and relaxes the tensed muscles. Maintaining a healthy weight is also crucial to maintaining knee function.

So if you expect to truly gain full movement potential and lead an active life after a knee surgery, then talk to an expert therapist to benefit from these physical therapy and lower extremity exercises.

Knee Pain Treatment Brooklyn – HealthQuest’s physical therapy and leg exercises would ensure that the knee regains its full range of motion.

Physical Therapy Exercises for Knee Injuries

Accidents, slips and falls can happen at any place at anytime. Joints, especially the knees, are at a greater risk of sustaining injuries with pain that could greatly restrict one’s freedom of movement. Some of the most common types of knee injuries are sprains, strains, tendinitis, meniscal tears, fractures and dislocation.

The right thing to do immediately is to get checked up by a physician whose timely treatment can prevent the condition from worsening. Patients with knee injuries find physical therapy exercises quite effective as it can literally get them back on their feet in no time. Besides, it works well for all ages.

Therapeutic Exercises for the Knees

It is important to know that the knees bear the brunt of the body’s weight and provide the required stability and flexibility. Physiotherapists are well aware of this fact and they help patients with special therapeutic exercises that relieve stress or damage afflicting the knees, depending on the type of knee injury.

The exercises encompass a broad range of activities that are generally simple to perform so much so that these can also be carried out in the convenience of one’s home. Therapists would guide the patients and ask them to perform the exercises to overcome stiffness and gradually increase the range of motion. This would also strengthen the leg muscles and make them limber. Moreover, these can protect the knees from further pain and injuries by increasing the body’s endurance level. Therapeutic exercises are known to promote a general sense of wellbeing, especially among the aged and the feeble. Physiotherapists from premier facilities are well-trained and experienced to help patients make a speedy recovery and provide all necessary support during their rehabilitation period.

Take Instructions Seriously

Patients are advised not to attempt any exercise of their own free will. Only a well-qualified therapist can ascertain the patient’s condition and suggest the right exercise technique. Moreover, physical therapy exercises for knee injuries are to be taken seriously to prevent long term knee problems or even surgery. Just because you feel better, it doesn’t mean that you can return to normal activities. You should necessarily seek the expert opinion of a specialist before taking a unilateral decision.

Physical Therapy – HealthQuest is an established physical therapy and rehabilitation center providing personalized and goal oriented physical therapy and rehabilitation services.

Physical Therapy Knee Exercises

Of all orthopedic problems, knee pain is probably the most common. While the causes for knee pain are many, strengthening the knee muscles through proper exercise is one of the most effective ways to protect them from pain and injury. Physical therapy knee exercises recommended by a qualified and experienced physical therapist can help restore physical strength and motion following a knee surgery or injury. These exercises help reduce recovery time and maintain proper stability of the joint. Besides patients recovering from knee surgery, sportsmen, senior citizens, physically challenged individuals and others who are prone to injury of the knees benefit greatly from these exercises.

Exercise Programs to Condition the Knees

The knees bear the weight of the upper and lower half of the body in a proportionate manner. An injury to one of the knee can cause a serious setback as the person would need to depend on the other knee for balance and support. This would put more stress and strain on the joint. Physical therapy exercise programs condition the knees and allow the joints to function properly and without any impediment.

Physical Therapy Exercises for the Knees

These exercises are recommended:

• After a minor and major knee surgery
• Injury to cartilage and ligaments
• Patellar tendonitis, meniscal tears
• Chronic knee ailment such as arthritis

There are specific types of physical therapy exercises that can be performed to strengthen the knee muscles and prevent injuries from recurring in the region. The key components of a knee physical therapy program are motion exercises and strengthening exercises.

Depending upon the extent of the patient’s injury, physical therapists make certain exercises a crucial part of the customized rehabilitation program.

Benefits of Knee Exercises

• Reduces knee pain and discomfort
• Decreases stiffness
• Makes the joint flexible
• Strengthens the surrounding muscles
• Increases mobility of the knee and endurance level
• Minimizes the impact of shock, stress, and wear and tear

Though the exercises may be simple, it is imperative that they be performed under the guidance of a licensed physical therapist. If performed incorrectly, too early or too often, these exercises may result in further injury to the knee joint.

Knee conditions that are not properly diagnosed and treated can cause many complications. In most cases, people who choose to ignore pain, end up with inflammation of the joint and even a limp. So seeking timely medical help is important.

Approach a Reliable Pain Management Center

If you have a knee problem, pain or injury, approach a pain management center. The orthopedist would most likely refer you to a physiotherapist for a physical therapy knee exercise program that can help you improve strength, endurance and motion.

Physical Therapy NYC – At HealthQuest, Brooklyn, New York, pain management physicians provide effective knee pain treatment.

Find More Vision Therapy Exercises Articles