More than 1 million Americans undergo total knee and hip joint replacements each year. After surgery, physical therapy helps you heal, build strength, and return to your favorite activities. At Valley Rehabilitation of Sun City West in Sun City West, Arizona, experienced physical therapist Kimberly Hilditch, MSPT, and the team specialize in helping patients recover from total joint replacements all over the body. A mix of manual therapy, strength building, and stretching can reduce pain and speed up your healing process. If you need help recovering from a total joint replacement, call Valley Rehabilitation of Sun City West today to schedule an appointment, or book online.
request an appointmentWill I need physical therapy after a total joint replacement?
Yes. After total joint replacement surgery, you need to get out of bed and move around to reduce the risk of potential complications, such as blood clots. Routine physical therapy sessions with the Valley Rehabilitation of Sun City West team are an essential part of your recovery process.
By participating in physical therapy, you can return to your normal routine sooner, and lower the risk of mobility problems.
How soon after my total joint replacement does physical therapy start?
After total joint replacement surgery, a member of the Valley Rehabilitation of Sun City West team meets you at the hospital. They coordinate with your doctor and surgeon to develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your goals and needs.
You begin your physical therapy program in the hospital, prior to discharge, to achieve the best possible outcome. Specifically, your physical therapist provides a mobility device, like crutches, a walker, or a rollator, to help you get up and moving within 24 hours of your joint replacement procedure.
Once you leave the hospital, the Valley Rehabilitation of Sun City West team schedules several weekly appointments, where you visit the office and participate in strengthening exercises, stretches, and manual therapies.
What does physical therapy after total joint replacement involve?
The Valley Rehabilitation of Sun City West team tailors total joint replacement physical therapy to each patient’s goals and needs. They might suggest:
- Therapeutic exercises
- Manual stretching
- Manual traction
- Myofascial release
- Trigger point release
- Deep soft tissue mobilization
- Muscle energy techniques
- Ultrasound therapy
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
- Mechanical traction
- Iontophoresis
- Laser Touch One™
Often, the team recommends a combination of these therapies to ensure lasting results and a positive outcome.
How long do I participate in physical therapy after total joint replacement?
After total joint replacement, most people need 4-6 weeks of physical therapy. Depending on the joint replaced, you might need to visit the office 2-3 times each week.
This can seem like a lot, but it’s important that you commit to the process. If you don’t attend each of your scheduled checkups, you’re more likely to experience complications.
Call Valley Rehabilitation of Sun City West today to learn more about physical therapy for total joint replacements, or book your visit online.