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7 Key Benefits of Physical Therapy Following Joint Replacement Surgery

Spine and Orthopedic Center of New Mexico Blog 7 Key Benefits of Physical Therapy Following Joint Replacement Surgery
7 Key Benefits of Physical Therapy Following Joint Replacement Surgery

Physical therapy is a versatile treatment critical in preventive and rehabilitative medicine, including post-operative recovery. It's a fantastic option to help you regain strength, flexibility, and mobility, especially after a joint replacement.

Dr. Omar Osmani, our orthopedic specialist, provides cutting-edge joint replacements to decrease joint pain, and our team at the Spine and Orthopedic Center of New Mexico is excited to share the many benefits of physical therapy with you at our Roswell, New Mexico, office.

Understanding joint replacement surgery

Joint pain can be debilitating and frustrating, especially when you've tried several treatments that haven't helped. When your pain is severe, it affects every single aspect of your work and social life.

Several problems lead to severe pain in your joints. An acute injury can cause irreversible damage that erodes your joint over time. Repetitive motions can also cause chronic joint pain.

The most common reason for chronic joint pain and dysfunction is osteoarthritis. This form of arthritis wears away at the protective cartilage in your joints over time, causing pain, stiffness, and immobility.

If nothing else has helped your joint pain and it's affecting your daily activities, Dr. Osmani may recommend joint replacement surgery.

During a joint replacement, Dr. Osmani removes the damaged areas in your joint while you're under anesthesia. He then resurfaces the bone if needed and measures your joint for the prosthetic device.

The prosthetic device replaces the damaged areas in your joint and works exactly like your natural joint. These devices contain ceramics, heavy plastics, or metals. They're incredibly durable, eliminate joint pain, and increase mobility after recovery.

What is physical therapy?

Physical therapy is a conservative treatment that Dr. Osmani prescribes for several conditions, including injuries, chronic conditions, and post-surgical rehabilitation. The main goal of physical therapy is to improve your mobility and help you improve functionality.

A physical therapist is a specialist who evaluates your condition, assesses your mobility, and treats the underlying issue through several therapies, including:

After joint replacement surgery, physical therapy decreases pain and inflammation and increases mobility. You can expect to participate in physical therapy for several months after your procedure, working on regaining strength and balance after your procedure.

Seven significant benefits of physical therapy

Physical therapy is one of the best tools you have in the recovery stage to get back to your normal activities. Here are seven significant physical therapy benefits after a joint replacement.

1. Reduces your pain

It's no surprise that you have pain after a joint replacement. Although the first few sessions of physical therapy may be uncomfortable, the movement and stretching help reduce pain by improving circulation and strengthening structures around the joint.

2. Aids in a faster recovery

Your joint needs to move and flex to heal correctly. During physical therapy, we manipulate your joints and provide strengthening exercises to help your joints heal faster so you can get back to your normal activities.

3. Reduces inflammation

Inflammation is common after joint replacement surgery; it's your body's natural response to injury or surgery. When you move your joint, your body begins to heal the area, reducing inflammation.

The exercises you perform during physical therapy also improve blood flow to the joint, another aid in inflammation reduction. 

4. Improves circulation

Circulation is a crucial component of healing after a joint replacement. During your physical therapy routine, our team uses various therapies to improve circulation to your new joint, which helps speed up the healing process.

5. Improves mobility

Before your joint replacement, it was hard for you to get around due to pain. After your surgery, physical therapy aims to improve your mobility with your new and improved joint. We use exercises and stretching to improve your ability to move after surgery.

6. Reduces stiffness

Stiffness in your new joint is standard in the first few weeks after surgery. Physical therapy helps you slowly reduce inflammation in your joint to improve your flexibility and strength and decrease stiffness.

7. Improves your balance

You should be more balanced when walking or moving after a joint replacement. After a hip or knee replacement, we help you learn to use a walker or crutches to help you balance as you heal.

If you require a joint replacement or physical therapy services, don't hesitate to call our office in Roswell at 575-623-9101 or book an appointment on our website using our convenient scheduling tool.

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