What You Need to Know
Learn More About Physical Therapy
Exercising is an important part of the healing process and many times a supervised therapy program can help you. It is easier to return to normal daily activities much more quickly if you work hard during your therapy sessions. Plan to participate in therapy, even on the day of your surgery.
Your physical therapist (PT) will teach you how to get in and out of bed, how to get in and out of a car, walk with an assistive device (such as a wheeled walker or cane), climb stairs, and how to do basic exercises. Your PT will also teach you how to protect your new joint and help you with any movement restrictions your doctor may have prescribed.
Your physical therapist (PT) will teach you how to get in and out of bed, how to get in and out of a car, walk with an assistive device (such as a wheeled walker or cane), climb stairs, and how to do basic exercises. Your PT will also teach you how to protect your new joint and help you with any movement restrictions your doctor may have prescribed.
Learn More About Physical Therapy
Injections
Blood Clots
Blood clots can develop in the legs after surgery. This is called a DVT (deep vein thrombosis). A blood clot can also develop in or travel to your lungs and this is called a “PE” (pulmonary embolism). Both can be serious, so steps are taken to prevent blood clots. This includes putting you on blood thinners after surgery. You will also be shown exercises called “ankle pumps” that help promote blood flow while in bed. The most important thing you can do to prevent blood clots is to get up and move.
Ice and Motion
In the hospital, you will be provided an ice pack and a Continuous Passive Motion (CPM) Machine for TKR patients to help with pain relief. We encourage you to continue these when you get home. The CPM for TKR patient should be used prior to working with your home health or outpatient PT to loosen you up, as well as much as you can tolerate throughout the day. We encourage you to ice as often as able postoperatively, but specifically after any home health or outpatient PT session, or after you have done any activity like walking for exercise or completing your exercises at home.
Home PT vs Outpatient PT
Following your inpatient stay, you will receive home health PT for 5 – 7 days, and thereafter you will complete a course of outpatient PT. Some patients however will be able to exercise on their own or go directly to outpatient PT.
Outpatient PT can last anywhere from several weeks to several months based on your progress. We will provide you with an exercise program in the hospital that you can share with your next PT, so that they can see what you have already been accomplishing and help progress you in your recovery.
Outpatient PT can last anywhere from several weeks to several months based on your progress. We will provide you with an exercise program in the hospital that you can share with your next PT, so that they can see what you have already been accomplishing and help progress you in your recovery.
Schedule Home PT
The discharge planner in the hospital will set up Home Health PT for you. The Home Health PT will call you the evening of your discharge to set up a time for the following day. We don't skip a beat!
Outpatient PT
A prescription is required for outpatient PT. When you are released from home PT, call the office for your prescription.
Please have the location and fax number available for your outpatient PT facility.
Please have the location and fax number available for your outpatient PT facility.
At Home Exercises
Therapy does not end when you leave the hospital. In addition to working with your physical therapist, continue to do your exercises every day until your follow-up appointment with your doctor. At that time, your doctor will give your more instructions on how to continue to gain strength and movement in your new joint.
