Total Joint Therapy

Joint replacements are becoming more common, with over 1 million individuals receiving a joint replacement each year. Of these, more than 600,000 receive a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and half of these patients are under the age of 65. A total knee replacement is one of the most successful and life-enhancing orthopedic surgeries, reducing pain in over 90 percent of the patients who have the procedure.

The therapists at Axis Sports Medicine are committed to excellence and staying on the cutting edge of rehabilitation for all joint replacements performed, including the total hip, knee, shoulder and ankle arthroplasties. Goals will be individualized to your specific needs and will succeed in getting you moving again, improving your quality of life, regaining full mobility of your new joint and allowing you to get back into the game of life!

The better shape you and your joint are in prior to surgery, the better your results can be following surgery. We recommend scheduling a visit with one of our team members to prep you for your upcoming surgery. We will teach you exercises to improve the strength and flexibility surrounding your joint, as well as educate you on how to best prepare for the days following the surgery, discussing expectations, precautions and answering any last-minute questions.

Following your joint replacement surgery, our goals are centered around managing your pain, decreasing your swelling, restoring your normal daily activity as quickly as possible and initiating a home exercise program. We will then progressively tailor your rehabilitative program to regain motion in your joint, strengthen the surrounding muscles, return to a safe and normal walking pattern, challenge your balance tolerance and body awareness to best prepare you for the demands the outdoor world will place on your new joint. Finally, you will be provided with an advanced functional training program to ensure safe return to the sport or activity of leisure you desire. We will utilize manual therapy techniques as well as a variety of therapeutic exercise and functional activity training to achieve the goals we set together.

We strive to achieve excel in our patient care by listening to each client, establishing a relationship and creating a unique program for each individual.

Some frequently asked questions of the physical therapist…..

• When should I start PT after my surgery? We recommend scheduling an appointment for 1-2 days following your surgery if home health or a skilled nursing rehab facility is not prescribed.
• Can I walk after my knee or hip replacement? Yes, you will be walking with an assistive device immediately following surgery and will be instructed by your physician for either full or partial weight bearing. A nerve block may limit your tolerance and ability to fully weight bear for the first 24-48 hrs.
• How long will I need therapy? Every patient is unique, and each rehabilitative program is designed with your specific needs and abilities in mind. This will result in a different length of rehab for each individual. We recommend that each patient expect their rehab to last 12 weeks and if you progress quickly with goals being achieved ahead of schedule, your rehab may be shortened. The vital piece to the rehab is to complete the entire course of treatment. Those who do not complete the entirety of their rehab may experience extended pain, stiffness, swelling and loss of normal body mechanics. This could result in other problems elsewhere throughout your body due to compensation for these prolonged symptoms.