So, you’ve decided to have a total knee replacement, and there are many things you’re looking forward to. Being able to move your knee more. Being able to move around with less pain. However, you may not be looking forward to how long physical therapy and other recovery steps will take after your knee replacement. 

It’s true that for many patients, knee replacement recovery can take quite a while. Every person will recover at slightly different rates, but knee surgeons typically expect people to resume most normal activities within three months. Recovering maximum knee strength and endurance? That can take six months to a year. Fortunately, physical therapists can help you learn about steps you can take that can reduce how long your recovery period lasts after a knee replacement. 

Three steps that can help minimize how long physical therapy and recovery takes after a knee replacement

1. You get moving as soon as possible — The goal of most surgeons and physical therapists is to get you up and moving as soon as possible after your surgery. They’ll want you walking around with a walker the next day in many cases. 

However, it’s up to you to actually put in the work here. That’s why it’s important to prepare yourself mentally to take your first post-surgery steps as quickly as you can. This can help you motivate yourself to get moving with your physical therapist’s help.

2. You practice good hydration and nutrition — Hydrated and well-nourished tissue has the things it needs to heal quickly. To ensure that you fall into this category, there are several steps you can take. First, you can make positive changes in your water and food intake prior to surgery. 

Your surgeon may be able to provide you with information that can help you take this step, or they may refer you to a dietitian or nutritionist. Taking the time to improve in these areas can also help you do better in physical therapy. You may find yourself recovering faster as a result. 

3. You did pre-surgical rehab before your surgery — Rehabbing after a surgery is something most patients expect. However, they may not be aware of pre-surgical rehab, or prehab. Prehab is simply a physical therapy that you do before you have surgery. It’s intended to help you: 

• Reduce pain prior to surgery. 
• Improve joint range of motion pre-surgery.
• Prepare your body for surgery. 
• Decrease how long your post-surgical rehab takes. 

Reduce how long your physical therapy after a knee replacement takes at Rehab Access

Seeking to minimize how long physical therapy after a knee replacement takes? Our Rehab Access Physical Therapy team is ready and willing to help you meet this goal. Our physical therapists can work with you to address pain and prepare your knee for surgery. We can then build you a personalized post-surgical rehab plan that’s intended to help you recover as rapidly as possible. 

Contact our team today for more information about how we can help you before and after your knee surgery or to schedule an initial appointment to start working with us.