The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons believes physical therapy is a necessary part of the recovery process after most orthopedic procedures. After surgery, an exercise conditioning program helps you return to daily activities quicker. Following a well-structured conditioning program helps you return to sports and other recreational activities.
To ensure that your physical therapy exercises are safe and effective for you, they should be performed under your doctor's and/or physical therapist’s supervision. Talk to your doctor or physical therapist about which exercises will best help you meet your rehabilitation goals.
No one likes to hear they need knee surgery, but when all non-invasive treatment avenues have failed – or are not an option - surgery is the hope to restore one’s quality of life.
4 Factors of Knee Rehabilitation
Increasing Strength: Strengthening the muscles that support your knee will reduce stress on your knee joint. Strong muscles help your knee joint absorb shock. You need strong muscles to hold the knee stable.
Improving Flexibility: Stretching the muscles that you strengthen is important for restoring range of motion and preventing future injury. Gently stretching after strengthening exercises can keep your muscles long and flexible and can help your joints move more effectively.
Targeting Muscles: The muscle groups targeted in a conditioning program include:
• Quadriceps (front of the thigh)
• Hamstrings (back of the thigh)
• Abductors (outer thigh)
• Adductors (inner thigh)
• Gluteus medius and gluteus maximus (buttocks)
Completing Your Program: A knee conditioning program should be continued as specified by your doctor or physical therapist. After your recovery, exercises can be continued as a maintenance program for lifelong protection and health of your knees. Your physical therapist can help establish a program designed especially for you.
3 Reminders from your Physical Therapist
1) Before doing your exercises, warmup with 5 to 10 minutes of low impact activity.
2) Do not ignore pain: You should not feel pain during an exercise. Talk to your doctor or physical therapist if you experience pain during an exercise.
3) Ask questions: If you are not sure how to do an exercise, or how often to do it, contact your doctor or physical therapist.
CTS Physical Therapists are knee specialists. If you have any concerns about your knees, please reach out to us or make an appointment.
Comentarios