Finding Relief  After Total Hip or Knee Replacements
Finding Relief  After Total Hip or Knee Replacements

Finding Relief  After Total Hip or Knee Replacements

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 iMove PT can help see you through your recovery and rehabilitation.

Request Appointment

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!

Patient Success

“Couldn’t be more satisfied with Dr. Craig Lee and the service I received. Had an injury to my leg and not only did Dr. Craig treat me and work with me, he made me feel confident that I was going to be ok and get better.” — M.B.

Leave Us A Review

Our Mobile Physical Therapy Services

At iMove PT, we offer a comprehensive range of mobile physical therapy services designed to cater to your unique needs. Our expertise spans orthopedic rehabilitation, sports medicine, neurological rehabilitation, geriatric physical therapy, and pre and post-surgical rehabilitation. By providing targeted, specialized care, we ensure that our clients receive the most effective treatment and support throughout their recovery journey. Our mobile services bring this personalized approach directly to your doorstep, making your physical therapy experience more convenient and accessible than ever before. We understand that every client’s journey to recovery is unique, which is why we prioritize personalized treatment plans, skilled and licensed therapists, flexible scheduling, and ongoing support. At iMove PT, our commitment to your well-being extends beyond treating injuries and conditions.

Contact Us

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 iMove PT today to learn more about how we can help!

Request Appointment

LSVT BIG at Home: Helping You Move with Confidence

Living with Parkinson’s or other neurological conditions can make daily movement feel slow, small, and difficult. LSVT BIG is a proven therapy program that helps retrain the body to move with bigger, more purposeful motions—improving walking, balance, posture, and daily function.
At iMove PT Mid County, we bring LSVT BIG directly to you through our mobile physical therapy services—so you can work on meaningful, real-world movements right in your home.

Why LSVT BIG Works Well in a Home Setting:

  • Practice tasks in the exact environment you live in
  • No travel or clinic wait times
  • One-on-one sessions tailored to your goals
  • Easier carryover into everyday life

If you or a loved one is living with Parkinson’s, early therapy can make a big difference. Contact us at 636-893-8312 or jordan@imovephysicaltherapy.com to learn more.

-Dr. Jordan VanDyke (PT, DPT)

Can I Avoid a Total Hip or Knee Replacement?

No one wants to undergo surgery. It’s often expensive, and it can bring with it a host of risks and complications. So, if you’re struggling with hip or knee osteoarthritis, you might be wondering — can I skip surgery altogether?

The short answer? It’s very possible!

Osteoarthritis has no cure. However, you can slow its progression by staying active and living a generally healthy lifestyle. In fact, surgeons won’t actually perform a total joint replacement until they’ve seen that non-invasive treatments — such as physical therapy — aren’t effectively managing the condition.

As with most degenerative conditions, the earlier you start, the better. If you already have an OA diagnosis, the iMove physical therapists can work with you to develop a customized management program that might include the following:

  • An aerobic exercise plan based on your interests and abilities
  • Targeted strengthening and stretching exercises to improve joint health
  • Strategies for reducing pressure on your joints
  • Strategies for improving your overall health and wellness

Even if you don’t have a diagnosis, following up on joint pain is essential, especially as you get older. Our physical therapists can let you know if that pain in your knee or hip is due to osteoarthritis or some other cause, such as an injury or muscular imbalance.

Want to learn more about successfully managing osteoarthritis without surgery? Call to speak to our friendly staff today!

Recipe of the Month: Mediterranean Ground Beef Stir Fry

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 red bell pepper, deseeded and diced
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
  • 8 ounces baby spinach (small tub)
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced, white and green parts separated
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons crumbled feta, (optional)

Directions:

  1. Cook the tomatoes and bell pepper. Heat the oil in a large pan on medium-high heat.
  2. Add the bell pepper and cherry tomatoes and saute for 4 to 5 minutes, until the tomatoes are blistered and saucy. Add the garlic and stir another minute. Add the spinach and white parts of the green onion. Note that the spinach will take up most of the pan, but it will wilt down.
  3. Stir for another 2 to 3 minutes, until the spinach has wilted. Remove these veggies to a plate. Add the ground beef, oregano, salt, and black pepper to the pan, and use a spatula to break up the meat. Cook the ground beef until it’s browned, then drain off any excess grease.
  4. Transfer the veggies back to the pan, add the green parts of the green onion, and stir until warmed through.
  5. Garnish with crumbled feta before serving.
Sources