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, these surgeries are not without risks and require the right rehabilitation approach 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. That’s why it is very important to advocate for yourself and request physical therapy.
Fortunately, physical therapy at McCabe and Brady can guide you through your recovery and rehabilitation, focusing on identifying and treating the specific source of your limitations.
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 home physical therapy the day of her surgery and was recommended to outpatient physical therapy 4 days post-op. Her home care PT guided her through gentle mobility exercises and helped her safely move around her house using a walker.
4 days post-op, Madeline’s outpatient physical therapist carefully assessed her hip’s response to movement, using targeted techniques and repeated movements to reduce pain and improve mobility. This approach also helps minimize stiffness and long-term movement restrictions.
Here’s what Madeline’s post-surgical therapy involved:
Step 1:
Improving her hip’s range of motion, ensuring to maintain total hip precautions, through targeted movements and exercises based on how her body responded
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
Step 4:
A hike with her new hip — after demonstrating consistent improvement and meeting her movement goals
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 with the saying, “The better you go into surgery, the better you come out of surgery.”
As part of his prehab program, we evaluated his knee’s movement and response to specific exercises, helping him improve mobility and build strength before surgery.
Frank had initially been nervous about his surgery, but his prehab program helped build his confidence and gave him a better understanding of how movement would play a role in his recovery.
Frank’s rehabilitation proceeded similarly to Madeline’s. We worked with him to gradually improve his knee mobility using movements that reduced stiffness and improved function. As his range of motion improved, we incorporated strengthening exercises and functional training activities so he could perform day-to-day tasks more comfortably.
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.
At McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy, we focus on identifying the source of your movement limitations and adjusting your treatment based on how your body responds, helping you recover more efficiently and get back to the activities you enjoy.
Call today to learn more about how we can help!
Get Started with PT Now!
Return to McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy and Let’s Continue Your Journey to Wellness Together. Schedule Your Appointment Now!
Fresh, flavorful, and light, this Mediterranean Chicken Salad is the perfect springtime meal that makes healthy eating feel effortless. Packed with bright ingredients and satisfying protein, it’s ideal for enjoying warmer days and staying energized.
Enjoy This Seasonal Healthy Recipe!
Mediterranean Chicken Salad
- 1 cup lemon juice
- 2 tbsp snipped fresh mint
- 2 tbsp snipped fresh basil
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp honey
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 5 cups shredded romaine lettuce
- 2 cups cut-up cooked chicken breast
- 2 plum tomatoes, cut into wedges
- 1 (15 oz) can garbanzo beans
- 2 tbsp pitted Kalamata olives
- 2 tbsp crumbled reduced-fat feta cheese
- 6 Whole kalamata olives
In a screw-top jar, combine lemon juice, mint, basil, olive oil, honey, and black pepper to make dressing. Cover and shake well. Place lettuce on a large platter. Top with chicken, tomatoes, garbanzo beans, the quartered olives (if using), and feta cheese. Drizzle with dressing. If desired, garnish individual servings with whole olives.
April Word Scramble
olofs
rwhesso
sutpli
aiprodsnr
tlaeacprilr
angrde
Answer Key
fools
showers
tulips
raindrops
caterpillar
garden
Exercise of the Month
SIDE LYING HIP ABDUCTION
Begin by lying on your side with your head supported by a pillow, hips stacked, and your bottom knee bent at 45 degrees to provide a stable base. Bracing your abdominals, slowly lift your top leg, keeping your foot parallel to the ground, hold as instructed, and then slowly lower your leg back to the floor.
3 Sets, 10 Reps. (Materials needed: pillow)
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Getting Ready for Yard Work and Gardening: Take These Steps
- Prep Your Tools: Ensure your garden tools are clean and sharpened.
- Safety Gear: Remember to wear appropriate safety gear like gloves, sunblock, and a wide-brimmed hat to protect yourself.
- Stretch It Out: Begin with gentle stretching exercises to warm up your muscles and prevent injuries.
- Plan Your Tasks: Prioritize tasks by starting with lighter tasks before tackling heavy lifting or digging.
- Proper Posture: Maintain good posture and bend your knees when lifting to prevent back strain.
- Stay Hydrated: Keep a water bottle handy and take breaks, especially on hot days.
- Know Your Limits: Don’t push yourself too hard. Listen to your body and take breaks when needed.
- Mulch and Weed Control: Apply mulch to reduce weeds and moisture loss in the soil, making future yard work easier.
- Proper Lifting: Use your legs when lifting heavy objects and keep the object close to your body to reduce strain.
- Enjoy the Process: Take time to appreciate your efforts and the beauty of your outdoor space.
Our Patients Get Great Results
This is my third time using McCabe and Brady PT, and they are the best I have been to. The staff is wonderful and supportive. Lauren is awesome, and I would not use any other PT practice.
— Caren O.
Can I Avoid a Total Hip or Knee Replacement?
No one wants to undergo surgery. It’s often expensive and can bring 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 and better manage your symptoms by staying active and following a targeted treatment plan. In fact, surgeons won’t typically perform a total joint replacement until they’ve seen that non-invasive treatments, such as physical therapy, aren’t effectively managing the condition.
A More Targeted Approach to Managing Joint Pain
As with most degenerative conditions, the earlier you start, the better.
If you already have an OA diagnosis, the McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy physical therapists can work with you to develop a customized management program. We start with a thorough evaluation to determine what is contributing to your pain and movement limitations.
Using structured assessment methods, we look at how your joints respond to specific movements and positions. This helps us identify strategies that may reduce your symptoms and improve your function.
Your program might include:
- An aerobic exercise plan based on your interests and abilities
- Targeted strengthening and mobility exercises based on your specific limitations
- Strategies for reducing stress on your joints during daily activities
- Guidance on staying active while minimizing flare-ups
Don’t Ignore Early Symptoms
Even if you don’t have a diagnosis, following up on joint pain is essential, especially as you get older.
Our physical therapists can help determine whether your pain is due to osteoarthritis or another underlying issue, such as a movement limitation or muscular imbalance. Identifying the source early allows us to create a more effective treatment plan.
Want to Learn More?
Want to learn more about successfully managing osteoarthritis without surgery?
At McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy, we focus on identifying the source of your symptoms and adjusting treatment based on how your body responds, to help you stay active and avoid unnecessary procedures whenever possible.
Call to speak to our friendly staff today!
Refer a Friend
If you’ve experienced the outstanding care at McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy, why not share it with your friends? Referring them means giving them access to personalized treatment that can make a real difference in their health and well-being. Help them find a trusted healthcare partner—refer a friend to McCabe and Brady Physical Therapy today!
Meet Our Team
Alexandra Prophet
DPT, Cert. MDT
Douglas Brady
DPT, JD, Cert. MDT, AIB-VRC
Frank McCabe
MPT, B.S. Ex. Phys., Cert. MDT
Lauren Suchanick
DPT, Cert. MDT, AIB-VRC
Richard Winters
CSCS, DPT, OCS, Cert. MDT
Steve Smeck
BS. Ex. Phys, DPT
