Many people need total hip or knee joint replacement surgery, due to arthritis when they get older. Through pain management, stretching, and exercise, your Physical Therapist may be able to help you delay this surgery, or even avoid it altogether. In order to assist you with pain management, ultrasound, low level laser and other alternative solutions might be utilized.
To determine the source of your pain, physical therapists will perform careful evaluation. A well qualified physical therapist can customize a rehabilitation and exercise program that can match your needs, abilities, and goals. Additionally, you will get guidance on how to lessen the stress placed on the injury to alleviate or minimize pain.
If you must have joint replacement surgery, your Physical Therapist can help you maximize joint strength before surgery, and they will prepare you for what comes after the surgery.
After total joint replacement surgery has been performed, why is it so important to have Physical Therapy?
A solid exercise program can be helpful in the success of the new joint function. If you have too little strength or range of motion after surgery, you may have trouble walking or ongoing pain. The exact procedures performed by your doctor should govern which flexibility and stretching exercises you need and at what time. For your leg to properly heal, you may need to limit its movement or the weight you place on it.
Exercises to strengthen and improve the flexibility of your leg, hip, and trunk muscles will be prescribed by your physical therapist. The ability of leg muscles to control balance depends on neuromuscular control. It will help to add balance training to the rehabilitation program, to improve your muscle co-ordination and motion. Your physical therapist will also help you correct surgically-induced muscle imbalance and reduce the motion-limiting effects of scar tissue.
Rob Tendick
Author Bio
Rob Tendick is a physical therapy student who has helped rehabilitate patients after a total knee replacement. Rob knows firsthand the importance of trying to prevent surgery with physical therapy. Based on his experience Rob recommends Westwood Physical Therapy for outstanding spine physical therapy beverly hills, including treatment for injury prevention and los angeles injury prevention.
