How Total Joint Rehab Helps After a Total Joint Replacement
When your joints function as they should, they provide assistance with weight-bearing, balance, and mobility. Unfortunately, once injury or age compromises a joint, moving comfortably and without pain is almost impossible without medical treatment. Sometimes, when other options fail, total joint replacement becomes necessary.
Once you have had a joint, such as a hip or knee replaced, rehab is essential. Total joint rehab can help you in various ways following a total joint replacement.
Alleviate the pain and swelling at the surgical site
When you undergo total joint rehab, your therapist will help you to start walking and exercising your new joint soon after your surgery. This light activity will help to alleviate the swelling, pain, and discomfort that is often common after a joint replacement.
Prevent problems occurring in other parts of your body
Without total joint rehab, your new joint will likely be stiff and painful to move. Over time, this pain and stiffness will affect the way you move and put pressure on other areas of your body, such as your back or good leg. And if — despite the new problems — you fail to seek rehab, you may begin to suffer from orthopedic issues such as carpal tunnel syndrome or plantar fasciitis.
Regain your normal range of motion
One or two weeks after your joint replacement, your total joint rehab therapist will have you perform exercises to help you regain your former range of motion. With the help of exercises such as leg raises, ankle pumps, and straightening exercises, you'll gradually gain back your normal range of motion. This will help you to move around freely and without struggling to stay balanced.
Strengthen your new joint so you can do the activities you love
Along with regaining your range of motion in your new joint, you also need to strengthen the area sufficiently. Total joint rehab will help to strengthen your new joint by helping you to walk and perform specific exercises. Once your joint begins to strengthen, you can then begin to practice swimming and riding a stationary bike to strengthen your joint further.
As the strength in your joint returns, you'll be able to begin to do the physical activities you enjoy once more.
Prevent blood clot formation by stimulating blood circulation
Total joint rehabilitation will also help to stimulate the blood circulation around your new joint. Healthy blood circulation can help to prevent blood clot formation.