Knee Replacement (Total Knee Arthroplasty)

The knee and hip joint are two of the more common joints in the body that undergo surgical replacement.  A large portion of this can be contributed to the fact that they are both weight bearing joints that undergo daily wear and tear during standing, walking or running.  The wear and tear may lead to arthritic changes within the knee, and if conservative treatments does not improve your symptoms, a surgeon may decide to perform a knee replacement. Depending on which structures are degenerated, the surgeon will perform a hemiarthroplasty, or a total knee arthroplasty. A hemiarthroplasty is when either the femoral condyles or tibial plateau are replaced.  A total knee arthroplasty is when both are replaced.

Following surgery most individuals will be using either a walker, or crutches to ambulate.  The early phases of physical therapy focus on range of motion, swelling and pain reduction, muscle activation, and gait training using the assistive device.  We will then be able to add in more advanced strengthening exercises, and progress towards closed-kinetic chain exercises.  The latter part of therapy will be focused on activity specific exercises to allow our patient to return to their daily routines.

Associated Symptoms:

  • Knee pain
  • Stiffness
  • Decrease range of motion
  • Swelling
  • Difficulty walking

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