Recovery after a total knee replacement is vital to the success of your surgery. How your body reacts to traditional physical therapy, however, can determine the duration of your post-surgery rehabilitation. If you've recently had TKA performed or are planning on doing so, the team at OneAccord Physical Therapy can help get you up and running as soon as possible with KneeEase™. Here's how using KneeEase™ can rapidly get you on your feet and what you can expect throughout your treatment.
Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a standard elective procedure often referred to as a total knee replacement. TKA is used as a last resort when other means of treatment have proven unsuccessful. You may need a knee replacement if you've experienced pain when climbing stairs, walking, or resting. Numerous conditions cause knee pain, including:
Some patients may endure a lengthy rest and rehabilitation period that can make daily activities too painful to accomplish. Consequently, you may feel as if your quality of life is suffering. With KneeEase, you can achieve rapid recovery and adhere to your doctor's post-surgery instructions simultaneously.
Immediately after surgery, movement is vital to prevent bedsores, locked joints, and blood clots. Unfortunately, moving your knee after a TKA is not entirely painless. Movement beyond your pain threshold can lead to a subconscious fear of pain and a condition called muscle-guarding.
During muscle-guarding, your muscles tense up as if they are always ready for action. Although this reaction is a natural defense similar to the fight or flight response, it can be detrimental during post-surgery rehabilitation for TKA.
KneeEase serves as a self-controlled brace to help you lift, move, and stretch your leg without assistance. When you use the device, you alone decide how far you can extend your leg and bend your knee. Because you have control during the treatment, you'll eliminate your brain's fear of pain.
Traditional physical therapy after TKA is undoubtedly beneficial, but muscle-guarding can lead to prolonged and unnecessarily painful treatment. With KneeEase, your body ceases muscle-guarding completely. When your muscles are relaxed, you give your knee a chance to perform the prescribed exercises and stretches properly. Proper form during your rehabilitation will help your new knee heal more quickly.
After TKA, rehabilitation can be difficult, but is well worth your effort. If you have had a total knee replacement, or are considering it as a last resort, rest assured knowing you have options for successful and speedier rehabilitation. Let KneeEase work to ease your pain and lessen the duration of your treatment. If you'd like to give KneeEase a try, give us a call or use our online scheduling tool today to set up an appointment.
