Think of an athlete who loves running marathons, a retiree who enjoys leisurely jogs in the park, and a busy professional constantly on the move. While these may be people from all walks of life, they often share a common experience: knee pain that may require surgery. Whether due to sports injuries, degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis, or other medical reasons, experiencing knee pain and having to undergo surgery can significantly impact one’s mobility and quality of life.
However, the journey towards regaining full functionality and returning to daily activities does not end with exiting the operating room. Post-operative rehabilitation, particularly through physiotherapy¹, is important for a swift recovery, enabling individuals to resume their daily routines with confidence and strength. Let’s explore how exactly physiotherapy aids in post-operative knee surgery rehabilitation.
1. Range of Motion
One of the primary goals of physiotherapy rehabilitation after knee surgery is to restore the patient’s full range of motion in the knee joint. Post-surgery, the formation of scar tissues can contribute to stiffness and limited movement. This is where a range of techniques will be suggested to address this issue, including passive and active exercises, manual therapy, and modalities like heat and cold therapy.
Passive exercises involve the physiotherapist moving the patient’s leg gently through various motions to stretch the tissues and prevent adhesions. As the patient progresses, they transition to active exercises such as mini squats, step-ups, calf-raises or heel slides where they actively participate in moving their knees. This not only improves their range of motion but also reduces swelling and improves circulation, aiding in the healing process.
2. Strengthening
During the post-operative period, individuals often experience a loss of strength in the muscles surrounding the knee joint, directly affecting muscle mass, joint stability and functional mobility. Strengthening programmes that will be recommended by the physiotherapist typically include exercises targeting the quadriceps, hamstrings, calf muscles, and hip muscles².
Initially, these exercises may focus on isometric contractions (muscle contractions without joint movement) to avoid excessive stress on the healing tissues. As the patient progresses, they move on to dynamic exercises such as leg presses, squats, and lunges to further strengthen the muscles supporting the knee joint. Resistance bands, weights, and functional training equipment are often incorporated to provide progressive resistance and challenge the muscles appropriately.
3. Functional Training
While regaining range of motion and strength is crucial, the ultimate goal of knee pain physiotherapy is to enable patients to return to their daily activities and sports safely. Functional training plays an important role in this process with programmes that involve simulating real-life movements and activities that a patient typically needs to perform day-to-day. This could include walking, climbing stairs, bending, squatting, and more complex movements depending on the individual’s functional goals. Balance and proprioception exercises are also integrated to improve joint stability and reduce the risk of falls or re-injury.
Throughout the entire rehabilitation process, the physiotherapist would also monitor the individual’s progress and adjust the treatment accordingly. This ongoing assessment ensures that the rehabilitation programme evolves with the patient’s needs, optimising outcomes and promoting a successful recovery.
Note: The post-surgery exercises employed during the rehabilitation process are tailored specifically to suit the individual’s specific needs, considering factors such as the type of knee surgery, overall fitness level, and functional goals.
In the journey towards recovery after knee surgery, physiotherapy offers comprehensive care with tailored interventions³ to restore function, alleviate pain, and enhance overall well-being. So, whether you’re aiming to regain athletic skills, enjoy pain-free mobility in daily life, or prevent future knee problems, our experienced team of physiotherapists at The Movement Laboratory is here to support you.
Contact us today to know more!
References
- Konnyu, K. J., Thoma, L. M., Cao, W., Aaron, R. K., Panagiotou, O. A., Bhuma, M. R., Adam, G. P., Balk, E. M., & Pinto, D. (2022). Rehabilitation for Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Systematic Review. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 102(1), 19. https://doi.org/10.1097/PHM.0000000000002008
- Bily, W., Franz, C., Trimmel, L., Loefler, S., Cvecka, J., Zampieri, S., Kasche, W., Sarabon, N., Zenz, P., & Kern, H. (2016). Effects of Leg-Press Training With Moderate Vibration on Muscle Strength, Pain, and Function After Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 97(6), 857-865. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2015.12.015
- Yang, J., Chu, R., Chen, Z., Qiu, J., Pang, Z., & Yang, H. (2024). The impact of physiotherapy interventions on enhancing wound healing post knee osteoarthritis surgery: A meta‐analysis. International Wound Journal, 21(2). https://doi.org/10.1111/iwj.14777