Can Physical Therapy before Knee Replacement Decrease Length of Hospitalization After Surgery?

Having specialized in orthopedic physical therapy since 2014, I have probably treated thousands of people acutely recovering following total knee replacement surgery (or total knee arthroplasty). Personally, I love working with this population. Typically they have made a decision to undergo this surgery to regain their quality of life, and are absolutely determined to reach their goals. They also often initially concerned that they are either doing too much or too little, and their knees are usually stiff and painful. It’s an honor to walk (at times literally) beside them on this journey, provide education and exercise, and celebrate with them as they achieve their goals. It always warms my heart when I’m stretching out someone’s knee (Intentionally balancing my opposing desires to be both effective and gentle), and they tell me it’s the best part of their day because they know it feels better when we are finished.

I have also been able to work with knee replacement candidates preoperatively. Usually these are people who decided for themselves that physical therapy would help to be in their best shape them for surgery. In my experience the exercises that help prepare a person for this procedure are similar to those exercises they will be doing after surgery: working on improving quad strength, and knee flexion and extension range of motion.

In addition to preoperative physical therapy potentially helping leg strength and range of motion after surgery, this study by the Journal of Rehabilitative Medicine found even more benefits. According to the study’s findings, patients who underwent preoperative physical therapy had a higher likelihood of being discharged after 1 day in the hospital, and also had a higher likelihood of being discharged to their personal homes rather than going to a skilled nursing facility. This not only greatly decreased healthcare costs, but also decreases risk of infection and other risks of hospitalization.

As with everything in life, it’s best to do your own homework, and make the decision that is best for you. If Bespoke Physical Therapy can be of assistance in your pre-operative or post-operative (or non-operative!) journey, please do not hesitate to reach out.

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