Do people that have knee surgery require physical therapy?

Question

my husband is having surgery on his knee and says that he could do all the stuff they tell you to do at therapy at home, Isay he should go.

Answer 1

I had knee replacement surgery on September 13 of this year. Was in hospital for 5 days then returned home. Did have therapist coming into house once weekly for first 2 weeks now she has just cut it back to once every 2 weeks. They will give your husband lots of exercises to complete while at home and yes therapy is required after all knee surgeries. Good luck to your hubby on his surgery.

Answer 2

Depending on the knee surgery that is being done. I had mine scoped in April. I did need therapy. I also had a friend that hers scoped and didn't go to therapy. I think that you will benefit from going than not. I am doing better and have better range of motion than the friend that didn't go. Originally when I had mine done they said that I could do excerises at home for it but I pushed to go to therapy. It will make you way more motivated/responsible to get those excerises done too. Way to easy to put it off and not excerise it when you are on your own.

Answer 3

In short, yes

Without the right physiotherapy, there is a chance your husband may lose some mobilisation in his knee, or cause himself further damage.

Physiotherapists also offer support and enable you to keep going, even when it hurts a bit, to help get back on your feet quicker, than if you do it at home and decide to give up after 5 mins because it hurts a bit. Encouragement is key.

So, I suggest your husband goes for the physio to help regain his mobility as soon as his body will let him.

Good luck

Answer 4

Yes, you need to go to physical therapy. The physicial therapist instructs you on how to do the exercises correctly, so that you do not re-injur yourself. And they evaluate the effectiveness of the recovery. If there are problems with pain or range of motion, they can report these to your husband's doctor.
Go to physical therapy!

Answer 5

First, he needs to learn which exercises are the appropriate ones to do at the right time. Certainly, as PTs we are always promoting independence and if there are appropriate exercises for him to do at home, he certainly does not have to come to PT to have us watch him do them, nor will insurance pay for it if he can be doing them at home...BUT FIRST he must learn what exercises to do and how to do them.

For a procedure as simple as an arthroscopy, PT may be as simple as 4-8 visits to learn how to do the exercises properly and then we promote a home exercise program. For a more complicated procedure such as an ACL repair, there are very specific guidlines and your husband could certainly hurt himself by doing the exercises in an incorrect manner or doing certain exercises too soon. Finally, major surguries such as total knee replacement usually require significant hands on therapy in order to prevent scar tissue formation...about 2-3 months worth.

Believe me, we want nothing more than to promote independence with the home exercises...and we certainly don't want to be seeing anyone we "don't have to." Yet, you husband DOES need to go to therapy even if it's just a few sessions (for a simple arthroscopy) to learn what he should or should not be doing.

Answer 6

Yes you do need to do therapy. If you do not you could end up with a stiff knee. See the professionals, it is worth it.