Knee Rehabilitation

The approach to management initially is aimed at reducing pain, spasm and swelling. This then allows the patient to start the strengthening and recovery process.

Exercise usually starts in the ‘non weight bearing’ environment of our heated Hydrotherapy Pool.

The patient is also started on specific strengthening of the muscles that surround, protect and stabilise the knee joint; especially the VMO muscle.

Once the patient progresses he or she moves on to more strenuous strengthening, mobilising and proprioception (balance) exercises at home and in our Therapy Gym.

Good function is restored by concentrating on returning to aerobic fitness, normal movement mechanics, and sporting technique.

Appropriate rehabilitation of Patients following Total Knee Replacement is essential to ensure the most successful outcome possible for the patient.

At Mullaloo Physiotherapy Centre we have 35 years of experience in the rehabilitation of patients following TKR.

The rehabilitation process is often misunderstood by patients and practitioners alike.

For the best outcome, it is important that in the early stages following surgery, rehabilitation is started immediately but in a gentle manner.

Movement is encouraged but not forced. Allowing surrounding tissues to heal.

Vigorous exercise, applied too soon, can lead to an exacerbation of pain, protective muscle spasm and swelling. This will slow the rehabilitative process rather then speed it up.

As each patient responds to their surgery differently. At MPC we structure rehabilitation to the individual.

Initially treatment emphasises easing swelling and muscle spasm using treatment modalities and massage.
The patient is encouraged to manage their pain by using appropriate analgesia regular, not allowing the pain to “Break Through’. Remembering ‘Pain causes Spasm causes Stiffness’.

Movement is encouraged regularly at home, within the limits of pain. This is always followed by the application of Ice.

As soon as the wound has healed the patients starts Hydrotherapy in our onsite heated pool. This encourages movement in a ‘Non-weight bearing’ environment.

The patient is also started on a very gentle but appropriate gym based exercise program in our therapy gym.

As such a typical TKR rehabilitation session at MPC includes Physiotherapy treatment, Hydrotherapy and Therapy Gym exercises all without leaving the premises.

As healing progresses, the exercises become more vigorous and the focus progresses to increased stretching strengthening and balance exercises.

Gait retraining is also vital to return to normal function.

Successful outcomes are imperative for patients following TKR to reduce the likelihood of falls in later years