Finding Relief After Total Hip or Knee Replacements
Hip and knee replacements are among the most common surgeries in the United States. Every year, surgeons perform around 800,000 knee replacements and 450,000 hip replacements — and that number is expected to grow as the population ages.
But the surgeries themselves don’t show the entire picture. While they can offer lasting relief for people suffering from osteoarthritis, they also require extensive rehabilitation to ensure success.
Most people can expect to spend six months to a year restoring the strength and mobility in their lower body. If you skip out on post-surgical physical therapy, especially immediately after your procedure, you might continue to struggle with joint pain and restrictions in your range of motion. Fortunately, physical therapy at Anders & Associates Physical Therapy can help see you through your recovery and rehabilitation.
Madeline’s Story: Finding the Trail Again
When Madeline underwent a total hip replacement at the age of 65, she had one goal in mind: to hike again.
Madeline knew that, to achieve her goal, she would need to take her post-surgical physical therapy very seriously. She began physical therapy as soon as she was cleared by her surgeon, three days after her procedure. Her PT guided her through gentle mobility exercises and helped her move around the room with her walker.
We also helped Madeline manage her initial pain levels with joint mobilizations, soft tissue manipulation, and other manual therapy techniques. In addition to helping with pain, these techniques can reduce the development of scar tissue, which can cause long-term pain issues.
It wasn’t long before Madeline began more intensive physical therapy. At her first appointment, she let her therapist know her dream of taking up hiking again, and they worked together to help Madeline achieve her goal.
Here’s what Madeline’s post-surgical therapy involved:
- Step 1: Improving her hip’s range of motion through targeted stretches and range-of-motion exercises.
- Step 2: Building strength in the muscles surrounding and supporting her hip, helping stabilize her new joint.
- Step 3: Activity-focused training to help Madeline restore her balance and ability to walk, climb stairs, and perform other movements crucial in daily life. As Madeline improved, her therapist began focusing on exercises that emulated hiking (such as walking up an incline) so Madeline could hit the trails again.
- Step 4: A hike with her new hip. After completing her physical therapy, Madeline’s PT cleared her for a gentle, three-mile hike — and Madeline celebrated every step!
Frank’s Story: Starting Early for Lasting Relief
Frank didn’t have a clearly defined physical goal when he underwent his total knee replacement at age 78. He’d never been particularly active, and his knee pain only made him more sedentary.
To help ensure Frank had the best possible outcomes, we actually started his physical therapy before he even went into surgery. Research shows that pre-surgical physical therapy (“prehab”) gives you a solid foundation for rehabilitation. So we set Frank up for success with a six-week prehab program that included the following:
- General fitness strategies to ensure he was in good health for his procedure
- Exercises to improve the strength and mobility of his knee joint
- Practice using a walker
Frank had initially been nervous about his surgery, but his prehab program helped build his confidence and gave him a taste of what to expect from his post-surgical rehabilitation. In fact, he was pleased to learn that his early exercises were very similar to those he had done during prehab!
Frank’s rehabilitation proceeded similarly to Madeline’s, even though he wasn’t working toward a specific goal. We worked with him to manage his pain and slowly began mobilizing his knee. As his range of motion improved, we began incorporating strengthening exercises and functional training activities so he could perform day-to-day tasks.
Physical therapy was a lot of work for Frank, but it paid off in the end: he no longer struggled with joint pain, and he was far more active and mobile than he’d been in years.
We Can Help You Find Relief, Too!
Are you scheduled for a total hip or knee replacement? Don’t underestimate the importance of physical therapy in your rehabilitation. Call Anders & Associates Physical Therapy today to learn more about how we can help!
Your Progress Matters To Us!
Return to Anders and Associates Physical Therapy and Let’s Continue Your Journey to Wellness Together. Schedule Your Appointment Now!
December Word Scramble
vegnreree
wannsmo
rewtah
ircfapeel
eslhgi
ilodyha
Answer Key
evergreen
snowman
wreath
fireplace
sleigh
holiday
Indulge in this rich, decadent Gluten-Free Chocolate Ganache Tart — a dessert that’s as elegant as it is irresistible. Perfect for sharing (or not!), it’s a sweet way to treat yourself without the gluten.
Feel Better by Eating Better!
Gluten-Free Chocolate Ganache Tart
- 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
- 1 cup salted gluten-free pretzels, crushed into small pieces
- 1/2 cup rice flour
- 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
- 3 Tbsp. brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 6 oz. vegan dark chocolate, finely chopped
- Pomegranate seeds, for garnish (optional)
Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease 9” tart pan with removable bottom. In large bowl, combine shredded coconut, pretzels, rice flour, coconut oil, sugar, and cocoa. Transfer to prepared tart pan. With hands, firmly press mixture into bottom and up side of pan in even layer; place on cookie sheet. Bake 10 minutes. Cool completely on wire rack. In small saucepan, heat coconut milk on medium until just bubbling at edges, whisking occasionally. Place chocolate and pinch salt in medium heatproof bowl. Pour hot coconut milk over chocolate. Let stand 5 minutes. Gently whisk until smooth. Pour into tart shell. Refrigerate, uncovered, 2 hours or until set. To serve, top with pomegranate seeds, if desired. Can be made up to 2 days ahead. Once set, cover with plastic and keep refrigerated.
Our Patients Get Great Results
“Highly recommend Anders & Associates for all of your physical therapy needs! Owner, Joe, is beyond helpful.”
-Renee B.
We’ve Expanded!
Anders & Associates is excited to announce the opening of our brand-new clinic in Las Vegas! We’re now open and accepting patients!
📍 New location: 6620 Sky Pointe Drive, Suite 130, Las Vegas, NV 89131
Exercise of the Month
SEATED LEG EXTENSION
Sit up straight in a chair with your feet flat on the floor. Slowly extend one leg out in front of you until it’s straight, squeezing your thigh muscle. Hold briefly, then lower it back down with control. Alternate legs or complete all reps on one side before switching.
3 Sets, 10 Reps (each leg). (Materials needed: chair)
Get a Head Start on New Year’s Resolutions
Who said you had to wait until January to make healthy changes? While December is a busy time of year, it also offers that glorious week between Christmas and New Year’s Day when work is slow (if not non-existent). Why not use that time to consider how you might incorporate new health routines in the new year?
You could…
- Incorporate a few minutes of jogging on your walks.
- Try out a fitness class you usually can’t take because of work.
- Perfect a few new healthy recipes.
- Experiment with meditation.
The post-holiday slump is also a great time to schedule an appointment with the team at Anders & Associates Physical Therapy. We can help you resolve any lingering pain or help you plan out a new exercise program–just in time for the new year.
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Meet Our Team
Kyra Moore
PT Technician
Jazmine Adame
PT Technician
Danesha Roberts
Front Office Manager
