Knee Rehabilitation/Physical Therapy

Total Knee Replacement Surgery Rehabilitation Program

Recovery and rehabilitation are an important aspect of your total knee replacement surgery.  You will work with your surgeon and physical therapist to develop a program best suited to your situation.  You must take an active and responsible role in the rehabilitation.  Regaining range of motion (ROM) and strength are crucial. Strength will come with time, yet ROM needs to be restored soon after surgery before scar tissue strengthens.  It is important for you to work towards fully extending and flexing the knee approximately 120 degrees.

While in the hospital, the inpatient physical therapist will visit with you daily and teach you the correct methods of getting in and out of bed and/or chairs and walking with crutches or walker.  They will also teach stretching and strengthening exercises.  Some will use continuous passive motion (CPM) machines, which slowly flex and extend the knee while you are in bed.

Following hospitalization, you may go to a rehabilitation center.  Physical therapists will continue to work almost daily with you, building strength, knowledge, and endurance.  Once home, you will be expected to do most or all of your own therapy.  Sometimes a visiting physical therapist will visit you at home, up to three times a week, until you are able to do the rehabilitation on your own.  It is important to adhere to the program taught to you by your doctor and physical therapist unless any problems occur.  Plan on spending 30 minutes, twice daily on your rehabilitation.