Robotic knee replacement surgery is a robot-assisted surgical procedure where your damaged joints are removed and replaced with artificial joints. This surgery offers more precision and better control compared to traditional joint replacement surgery. A low risk of complications means a faster healing period.
However, you need to watch your diet and attend physical therapy to restore your ability to sit, walk, move, and perform other routine tasks. Avoiding any strenuous physical exercise that puts excess pressure on your knee is important to avoid damage to your artificial joints. Here’s how attending physical therapy following a robotic knee surgery can help.
Physical Therapy: Why Is It Needed?
After your knee replacement surgery, your orthopedic surgeon will refer you to a therapist who can help you regain your normal range of motion faster. Not only that, but physical therapy ensures that your new joint stays in good condition and is healthy enough to allow you to move without pain and discomfort. Here’s why you should consider getting physical therapy following knee replacement.
- Strengthen the muscles near your new joint
- Improve your blood flow
- Help regain your normal movements
- Faster healing
- Alleviate pain, discomfort, and inflammation
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You can also perform at-home exercises as recommended by your surgeon, but it’s best to seek professional help to promote faster healing. Initially, the therapist will start with basic exercises, like walking, sitting, standing in an accurate posture, and so on. Later, they will add muscle strengthening and stretching practices.
How Long Do You Need to Undergo Physical Therapy After Knee Replacement?
The duration of physical therapy after knee replacement varies from person to person. Your age, health, and recovery are a few things a therapist will consider when scheduling your physical therapy sessions. Ideally, you should be able to drive within 4 weeks, get back to your routine tasks in 6-8 weeks, and play golf and other less-strenous sports within 12 weeks.
You need to continue the exercise at home for at least 2-3 months following the surgery. After that, your therapist might add biking, hiking, swimming, and other such activities to tone your muscles.
Physical therapy starts immediately after surgery. In fact, your doctor recommends you walk within hours of knee replacement. In the first few weeks, the therapist will focus on ankle pumps, leg raises, sitting and standing positions, and walking.
“Recovery Steps : Immediate Steps for Recovery After Knee Replacement Surgery” To Be Followed
When Can You Walk Without the Walking Aid?
As you practice walking, swimming, and other exercises regularly, you will be able to regain your normal range of motion gradually. Within 6-12 weeks following the surgery, you can drop the cane or other walking aids and add low-impact exercises to your physical therapies.
At this stage, you can get back to your routine activities and complete your household chores. However, climbing or heavy lifting should still be avoided for a few weeks. In addition, avoid high-intensity exercises, cycling, basketball, football, and other sports activities that can strain your artificial joints.
