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Physical Therapy After Knee Surgery: How it Can Help, Exercises, and More

A Sunday afternoon pickup game. Biking in the park. An after-dinner walk. Knee surgery can help you get back to doing the things you love.  And having physical therapy after knee surgery can speed your recovery, getting you back to normal life even faster. Read on to find out why physical therapy is important and how it can help to relieve post-surgery knee pain and prevent future injury.

Table of Contents

When Is Knee Surgery Required?

If you are experiencing symptoms such as …

  • Long-lasting inflammation or swelling that does not improve with rest or anti-inflammatory medications
  • Moderate to severe pain while at rest, day or night; or 
  • Severe pain that limits your daily activities

… it may be time to talk with your doctor about knee surgery.

Is Pain Significant After Knee Surgery?

As with most types of surgery, you can expect to experience some degree of pain following knee surgery. In general, swelling will last for 2 to 3 weeks post-op but may persist for as long as 3 to 6 months, depending on the procedure. If you have a total knee replacement you may continue to experience pain for several weeks to several months. However, if you experience pain at a level beyond what your doctor discussed upon discharge from the hospital, you will want to contact him or her immediately.

What Type of Pain Do Post-Surgery Patients Experience?

Pain following knee surgery is inevitable, but the type and degree of pain will vary depending on the procedure. For example, patients who undergo knee replacement surgery may experience:

  • Patellofemoral (kneecap) problems – Patellofemoral problems are a common source of knee replacement pain and are characterized by a deformed kneecap. Getting a kneecap to perform as it should with a replacement can be a technically challenging task, even for a skilled surgeon. Pain when going up or down the stairs may be an indication of a patellofemoral issue.
  • Loosening of the implant – Rarely a cause of pain immediately following surgery, the loosening of the implanted mechanism is most often a cause of pain in the years following the knee replacement. 
  • Alignment problems – This type of pain can occur if the implant is not functioning as it was intended due to poor alignment.
  • Infection – Pain accompanied by any of the following symptoms is a strong indication of infection and requires the immediate attention of your physician:
    • Fever
    • Swelling; or
    • Redness

Physical Therapy After Knee Surgery: How Can It Help?

The physical therapists at PRO~PT are specially trained to understand how the body moves, and having physical therapy after knee surgery is a critical component in your recovery. Following your initial evaluation, your physical therapist will create an individualized protocol of exercises designed to help you …

  • Walk normally
  • Climb stairs; and 
  • Return to other everyday activities 

… as soon as possible.

Physical Therapy After Knee Replacement

Full recovery may take up to six months, and physical therapy after knee surgery is a huge piece of the recovery puzzle. Your physical therapist will work with you on exercises that are designed to help:

  • Increase your range of motion
  • Strengthen your muscles
  • Reestablish normal movement in your joint 
  • Ease pain and swelling 
  • Increase the flow of blood around your knee in order to prevent blood clots; and
  • Promote healing and help drain fluid away from the surgical area

They will also be able to recommend specific actions or positions you will want to avoid until your knee is completely healed, such as:

  • Twisting
  • Jumping
  • Squatting; or
  • Kneeling

Physical Therapy After Knee Meniscus Surgery

Surgical treatments for knee meniscus problems may include a meniscectomy, which is the partial or complete removal of the meniscus or a repair of the torn area. The extent of physical therapy after knee meniscus surgery will depend on the specific surgical procedure that was performed. The goal of physical therapy is to:

  • Decrease pain and edema
  • Gradually return your knee to full weight-bearing; and
  • Restore your full range of motion

Physical Therapy After Microfracture Knee Surgery

Microfracture knee surgery is a procedure performed to correct problems with the articular cartilage of the knee and is typically done as an arthroscopic procedure. Having physical therapy after microfracture knee surgery can help to decrease your pain and swelling, as well as improve the strength and range of motion of your knee and lower extremity. Physical therapy after microfracture knee surgery treatment may include:

  •  Heat
  •  Ice
  •  Ultrasound
  •  Exercise; and
  •  Neuromuscular electrical stimulation

Exercises following your surgery will begin within the first week or two and will continue for 8 to 12 weeks, or until you have regained full function and mobility of your knee.

What Is a Typical Protocol for Physical Therapy After Knee Surgery?

On your first physical therapy visit following surgery, the physical therapist takes the opportunity to become familiar with your condition in order to determine the exact type of rehab you need. They will do a full evaluation including:

  • A questionnaire with information to find out how your knee has been feeling since your surgery, such as level of pain and progression of swelling
  • A posture evaluation to check the alignment of your:
    • Low back
    • Pelvis
    • Knees; and 
    • Ankles
  • Gait analysis 
  • Checking the range of motion in your knee to see how far you are able to move it forward and backward

Once the evaluation is complete, they will put together your individualized treatment plan which will outline the frequency, as well as exercises and therapies, that will be used to treat your condition. Treatment plans vary from patient to patient but generally include things such as:

  • Therapeutic exercises
  • Electrical stimulation
  • Ultrasound
  • Cold laser therapy
  • Massage

What Happens if You Don’t Do Physical Therapy After Knee Surgery?

If you hope to have a complete recovery, physical therapy after knee surgery is a “must.” Neglecting physical therapy after knee surgery may result in complications including:

  • Decreased range of motion
  • Atrophy of the supporting muscles
  • A slowing of the healing process due to the decreased blood flow that may result from a lack of movement
  • Excessive strain on the knee from improper or premature movements

Physical Therapy After Knee Surgery: 4 Common Exercises

Your knee muscles may be weak after your surgery since they likely were under-used due to your knee problem. Your physical therapist will create a protocol of exercises that are specifically designed to:  

  • Strengthen the muscles in your knee
  • Reduce swelling; and
  • Increase your knee’s range of motion.

For your own safety, be sure not to attempt any physical therapy exercises without first consulting with your physical therapist.

#1: Straight Leg Raises, Standing

  1. While supporting yourself, slowly lift your affected leg forward, keeping your knees straight.
  2. Return to the starting position.
  3. Repeat the exercise 10 times.

#2: Quad Contractions

  1. Lie on your stomach with a rolled-up towel under the ankle of your affected knee.
  2. Push your ankle down into the towel while straightening your leg as much as possible.
  3. Hold for 5 seconds, then relax.
  4. Repeat the exercise 10 times.

#3: Straight Leg Raises

  1. Lie on your back with your affected knee bent.
  2. While tightening your quadriceps muscle, straighten your other knee.
  3. Slowly raise your leg until your foot is approximately 10 inches above the floor.
  4. Slowly lower it to the floor, then relax.
  5. Repeat for 5 sets of 10 repetitions.

#4: Supine Hamstring Stretch

  1. Lie on your back.
  2. Bending your hip, grasp your thigh just above the knee.
  3. Slowly straighten your knee until you feel tightness at the back of your knee.
  4. Hold 30 to 60 seconds, then relax.
  5. Repeat the exercise 10 times.
  6. Do the exercise again, using the other leg.

Note: It’s important not to bounce when doing this exercise. Be sure to maintain a steady, prolonged stretch in order to receive the maximum benefit.

How Long Do You Need to Do Physical Therapy After Knee Surgery?

Physical therapy after knee surgery generally lasts an average of 4 to 8 weeks.   But keep in mind that everyone heals at a different rate, so your recovery time will vary depending on factors such as:

  • The severity of your injury
  • Any physical deficits or weakness you may have; and 
  • Your personal goals

The physical therapists at PRO~PT work closely with your physician in order to best carry out your rehabilitation process.

Can Doing Physical Therapy After Knee Surgery Prevent Re-Injury?

Absolutely.  Doing physical therapy after knee surgery can help improve your knee’s function and range of motion, as well as strengthen the affected area, preventing re-injury down the road. Your physical therapist will not only work you through a routine of healing exercises, but they will also tell you things you shouldn’t do, such as:

  • Sitting for long periods of time, which makes you more susceptible to blood clots
  • Applying too much weight on your knee too soon
  • Running or jumping; or 
  • Kneeling

The Licensed Physical Therapists at PRO~PT Are Here for Your Physio After Knee Surgery Needs

The physical therapists at PRO~PT not only specialize in physical therapy after knee surgery, but they can also work with you on pre-therapy to help you prepare for knee surgery. We’ll customize a treatment plan that is specific to both your condition and your goals, and we’ll get you back to doing the things you love to do ASAP. Call us today to schedule an evaluation.

Categories: ExercisesKnee Problems• June 21, 2021