Deciding on Knee Surgery
Not every knee injury or condition requires surgery. In fact, a study in the Arthritis Care and Research journal found that one out of every three people who received a total knee replacement (TKR) showed no improvement after surgery.
However, in the same study, two in three people did show significant improvement from TKR. Those individuals reported less pain two months following the surgery. They also reported less pain one and two years later. They were good candidates for surgery.
Having help and guidance from a physical therapist who has guided the recovery journeys for appropriate candidates (and inappropriate candidates) is critical. At Clear Choice Physical Therapy, we help patients assess their personal condition and make the best decision about knee surgery for them.
A Wide Range of Knee Surgeries
Thanks to unique advancements in knee surgery, there are several types of knee surgery that a patient can discuss with his doctor. This is good news for patients since it allows them to explore less invasive options first. Below, are some of the more common forms of knee surgery:
Least Invasive
- Arthroscopic Debridement: This surgery removes unnecessary material surrounding the knee with tiny surgical tools. The surgery helps create more space and less irritation around the knee.
Moderately Invasive
- Meniscectomy: This surgery focuses on “trimming” up the meniscus and helps relieve symptoms of a meniscus tear.
- Meniscus repair: This surgery brings together the meniscus’ torn edges to allow them to heal in their proper positions.
- Microfracture surgery: This surgery creates small holes in the bone to access a richer blood supply that can stimulate cartilage growth.
- ACL reconstruction: This surgery uses a graft to rebuild the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
Most Invasive:
- Hemiarthroplasty: This surgery is a partial knee replacement. The surgery only replaces the worn-out portion of the joint.
- Total arthroplasty: This surgery is a total knee replacement. Total arthroplasty surgery replaces the bone and cartilage on the end of the thigh bone and on the top of the shin bone with a metal-and-plastic knee-replacement implant.
As each surgery has its own complexities, each patient’s plan for recovery after surgery will vary.
Your Rehab from Knee Surgery at Clear Choice
Many traditional physical therapy facilities use the same “standard” knee-surgery protocols to treat every patient. At Clear Choice Physical Therapy, because we treat only one patient at a time, we are able to create a post-surgery treatment plan based on your individual needs and circumstances.
Then, as you work through your rehab, the same physical therapist works with you at every visit to:
- Regain range of motion.
- Rebuild strength.
- Stabilize balance.
- Reduce inflammation.
- Manage pain.
Additionally, your physical therapy rehab will help to minimize painful scar tissue (which can build up quickly). Clear Choice Physical Therapy is certified in an advanced form of manual therapy known as Graston Technique that uses unique instruments to break down scar tissue. Graston Technique helps to:
- Speed up the rehab of your knee.
- Improve the outcomes of your knee’s recovery.
- Reduce the need for anti-inflammatory and pain medication.
Choosing a knee surgery rehab facility with expertise in advanced techniques can help ensure that you achieve the best recovery for your circumstances.
Getting back to the activities you love
At Clear Choice Physical Therapy, our first goal after your knee surgery is to get you independent and walking again. We want you to be able to do life’s basic activities and more. We also aim to get you back to doing the daily activities that you enjoyed most before your painful knees, including:
- Taking your daily walk.
- Playing with grandchildren.
- Getting out on the golf course or tennis courts.
- Stepping onto your boat and feeling steady.
To get back to enjoying those activities, you will need a skilled physical therapist who is willing to work with you beyond the standard rehab protocols. At our treatment center, we will build a custom recovery plan for you that will push your body to a healthy point of physical stress. Our personalized programs will help you regain the full strength that you need to get back to your life.
Knee Rehab in Fort Lauderdale, FL
We can help at a variety of stages in the surgery process at our East Fort Lauderdale rehabilitation facility. If you are considering surgery or have an upcoming surgery, we can help you plan your post-surgery rehab appointments well in advance. We can also schedule some physical therapy sessions prior to surgery, as increasing your strength and motion can sometimes help ease recovery after surgery. If you just had surgery or are not happy with the results of an old surgery, we can schedule a rehab appointment for you right away.
To get started, please contact our Fort Lauderdale rehab facility for an appointment. You can reach us at (954) 697-9451. We look forward to helping you along your knee-rehab journey.
Joint replacement surgery is the 3rd most common type of surgery performed in the United States – second only to cataract surgery and C-sections. Additionally, with 720,000 knee-replacement surgeries performed each year, knee-replacement surgery is the most common joint-replacement surgery.
