Next to the procedure itself, the recovery process from knee surgery is one of the most important parts of your treatment journey. Any procedure requires some degree of tissue disruption and an incision, both of which require healing. Additionally, patients who have been hobbled with knee pain for a long period of time often need to relearn basic knee function. This is especially true if a more extensive procedure such as a knee replacement has been performed. 

Physical therapy and rehabilitation are very important to this process, and not following through with your program can increase the risk of negative outcomes.

We’ve prepared the following helpful guide to share just how important physical therapy after knee surgery is. We encourage you to reach out if you have any questions or want to learn more as you read this over. 

Why you should commit to physical therapy after knee surgery

The purpose of post-surgical physical therapy is to help along the healing process and take steps to regain function. Therapists can use exercises, posture training, manual therapy and other methods to accomplish this. 

On the flip side, avoiding or not fully committing to your rehabilitation program can hinder the recovery process. It’s important to get moving and functioning as soon after the procedure; otherwise, the following can occur: 

• Decreased blood flow to the area can negatively affect healing at the surgical site.
• Muscles can weaken and atrophy if they go too long without use.
• Not learning or relearning proper movement can put stress on the knees. 

In addition to physical therapy, you should follow your post-surgical instructions regarding incision care, medications and resuming normal activities.

Rehab Access — your post-operative recovery experts

Whether you’ve just scheduled knee surgery or you are in the recovery process, the Rehab Access team can help you get back to action. We’ll provide a personalized evaluation to develop a custom-tailored physical therapy plan that is right for you. 

To learn more and schedule your initial appointment, reach out to one of our representatives today.