Accelerated Knee Replacement Recovery
Julie's Journey
I first met Julie 2 weeks post knee replacement surgery. Julie had opted for my accelerated recovery programme over 4 weeks. Julie was very able and keen to get back to full time work and her normal activities. Initial session is looking at base line and starting point for pain inflammation and mobility. Julie was able to complete the physio directed exercise and had a good degree of home independence.
The main focus of knee replacement Physio in the first six weeks is to protect the surgery not to help the patient recover. The key elements are bending past 90 degrees and past 110 degrees is desirable. Coupled with this is a focus on getting the knee straight to support general movement. Most patients focus on building up the front of the leg but the calf muscle is always key to support and mobility.
Julie could bend her knee well with 90 degrees and was close to straight, so the initial focus was movement with crutches and building up mobility and strength for everyday activities. Stairs are always a challenge and focus for first week and training along with Range of Movements and power building.
The second week is walking and working with one crutch and standing and bending on one leg for balance and confidence. Mobility movement increases swelling and InterX helps reduce the impact along with reducing pain from surgery. Third week is walking without crutches in the house and outside learning to walk differently. Final week of the four week programme extends independence and strength and power to do activities along with jumping. This stage Julie smashed and exceeded targets by working extremely hard and had to be reined in as was working too hard with not enough rest.
Julie’s personal goals were to be able do everything before osteoarthritis with a focus on extended walking and gym fitness and training. Julie had several additional sessions to help with swelling a pain from working so hard in recovery. Julie is now walking extensive distances and training regularly and back to full time work.
