{"id":1280,"date":"2018-08-11T19:55:22","date_gmt":"2018-08-11T19:55:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.petersfield-physio-clinic.co.uk\/?p=1280"},"modified":"2021-07-28T16:35:40","modified_gmt":"2021-07-28T16:35:40","slug":"prehab-v-rehab-why-preparation-is-key-for-successful-knee-replacement-surgery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.petersfield-physio-clinic.co.uk\/home-page\/2018\/08\/11\/prehab-v-rehab-why-preparation-is-key-for-successful-knee-replacement-surgery\/","title":{"rendered":"Prehab v rehab: Why preparation is key for successful knee replacement surgery"},"content":{"rendered":"\n[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_image _builder_version=”3.11″ src=”http:\/\/www.petersfield-physio-clinic.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Prehab-v-rehab.jpg” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.11″]\r\n\r\nWhen I talk about physiotherapy and surgery, people immediately assume I\u2019m talking about recovering from an operation, when what is really needed afterwards is rest followed by a very gentle reintroduction to exercise and activity.\r\n\r\nBut for surgery on joints, particularly knee replacement surgery, doing the right exercises to maximise leg strength before a procedure can make the post-op recovery much faster. Being physically prepared also has a very good effect on mental preparedness following an op.\r\n\r\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Necessary header” _builder_version=”3.11″ text_text_color=”#7d78b9″ text_font_size=”18px” custom_padding=”30px|||”]\r\n\r\nWhy is knee replacement surgery necessary?\r\n\r\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.11″]\r\n\r\nKnee replacement, or arthroplasty, is most likely to be required by 50 to 80-year-olds who are suffering from a range of problems, including severe arthritis, injury, gout, cartilage loss, disorders causing unusual bone growth or bone death due to loss of blood supply (avascular necrosis).\r\n\r\nThe procedure involves resurfacing the bones that make up the joint, including the kneecap, using metal or plastic parts to cap the ends.\r\n\r\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Recovery header” _builder_version=”3.11″ text_text_color=”#7d78b9″ text_font_size=”18px” custom_padding=”30px|||”]\r\n\r\nRecovery\r\n\r\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.11″]\r\n\r\nMost patients can resume normal daily activities, including driving, within\u00a0six weeks, but it may take three months to a year to recover completely and gain the full benefit from the procedure.\r\n\r\nKnee replacement surgery is often painful and recovery can take longer than a hip replacement. It\u2019s useful to have this explained to the patient before the op to prevent anxiety.\r\n\r\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Exercises header” _builder_version=”3.11″ text_text_color=”#7d78b9″ text_font_size=”18px” custom_padding=”30px|||”]\r\n\r\nExercises\r\n\r\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.11″]\r\n\r\nIf you\u2019re having surgery you\u2019ve probably lost a significant amount of function in your knee with a resultant weakness in the muscles surrounding it.\r\n\r\nTherefore, regaining the strength and movement in your knee, and entire leg, before surgery will improve your recovery after arthroscopic surgery because muscles play a crucial role stabilising the joint.\r\n\r\nHere is a list of exercises I choose from to give to my patients to perform two or three times a day in preparation for arthroscopy:\r\n