Hip And Knee Replacement Rehabilitation in Toronto
Knee and Hip replacement surgeries aren’t minor procedures. It can take weeks before the person who had undergone any of these surgeries can walk or carry out their routine activities normally. Generally, doctors recommend the patient to do a physical rehab after the surgery. It usually contains a regular exercise program, which helps to quickens the healing process. By following this exercise regime, muscles around the replaced joint get strengthened. As a result, the patient can resume their routine activities without feeling any discomfort.
Types of Knee And Hip Rehabilitation
There are different types of rehabs. The right one will be recommended by your doctor and physical therapists. Some of the common ones are:
Rehab after Surgery
This one starts right after the surgical process has completed. The doctor, in this case, initiates the rehab by moving the replaced joint of the patient. However, it is only started if the patient doesn’t feel too much pain and discomfort. In this rehab, the patient is asked to sit on their bed’s edge. In some cases, they may also be asked to stand up and walk a little with assistance.
In this type of rehab, simple exercises are included in order to prepare the patient to return their normal day to day life and perform the routine activities.
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Rehab at Home or Rehabilitation Center
In this type of rehab, the patient is advised to do certain exercise under expert guidance. These exercises are aimed to strengthen their muscles. Generally, doctors suggest doing these exercises twice or thrice a day. Each session of exercise can last for about half an hour. They are also recommended to walk daily. If they feel difficulty in walking, they can take the aid of a cane.
The main focus of knee or hip replacement rehab is to keep the patient active. As a result, they can stand on their feet again and carry their routine activities in a fast-paced manner.
Phases of Hip or Knee Replacement Rehabilitation
Use of Crutches or Walker
This phase includes the use of crutches or walker that aid the patient to get out of the bed and take a few steps. This usually starts after a few hours of surgery. However, the time can be increased depending on the condition of the patient. In some cases, the patient may also be attended by a therapist who will provide guidance to them and teach them to perform certain routine activities.
Staying at Hip or Knee Replacement Rehabilitation Center
This phase begins when the patient is discharged from the hospital, usually 3 days after their surgery. It is to be noted that not all the patients are required to stay at hip or knee replacement rehabilitation center. It greatly depends on their condition. However, even if the patient is allowed to go home, they will have to attend knee or hip replacement physiotherapy sessions from a professional therapist. Each session lasts for a day. Most of the doctors recommend the patients to take this session thrice a week.
During the rehab program, the first thing therapists will do is to check the condition of the replaced joint. After its condition and mobility have been evaluated, a knee or hip replacement physiotherapy exercise regime will be created by them, keeping into consideration the recommendations of the doctor who performed the surgery.
This exercise plan created by the therapist is targeted to achieve three objectives. These are:
- The first objective is to enhance the range of motions. It is common for patients to experience a pain or discomfort while moving after the surgery. They may also have swelling on the affected area, which can make it difficult for them to move. To achieve this objective, a certain set of exercises will be recommended by the therapist for the patient. These exercises will relate to bending the affected part or straightening it.
- The next objective relates to increasing the strength of the muscles around the replaced joint. Due to the pain prior to the surgery, there is a possibility that those muscles have lost their strength. Certain exercises including quad sets are recommended by therapists to improve muscle strength.
- The third, and the last, objective in this phase is to improve the balance of the patient. This prevents them from falling and getting more injuries.
Return to Normal Routine
This is the last phase of the knee or hip replacement physiotherapy. This typically starts when the rehab program ends i.e. after 6 to 8 weeks of surgery. During this phase, the patient is asked to perform different activities i.e. walking, climbing stairs, getting on escalators, getting in the car and out from it etc. If they show no difficulty in doing these activities, it implies that they are fit to resume their routine activities otherwise time of the rehabilitation period can be increased.
Benefits of Hip or Knee Replacement Rehabilitation Physiotherapy
A hip or knee replacement rehabilitation physiotherapy can prove to be quite beneficial for the patient. Some of its benefits are discussed below:
- It prevents blood clots as it improves the blood flow.
- It can help to restore the joint’s normal movement.
- It not only strengthens the muscles in the joint but surrounding ones as well.
- It helps the patient to return to their routine activities
- It provides relief from pain and eliminates swelling as well.
Body Dynamics – A Reliable Center for Knee and Hip Replacement Rehabilitation, Toronto
Looking for knee replacement physiotherapy in Toronto? Book an appointment at Body Dynamics. Ranked among the best rehab centers in Toronto, you can trust us for quality services at utmost care. Here, you will find the services of reputed and experienced physiotherapists who have years of experience in providing guidance to people who have undergone knee or hip replacement surgeries.