Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: There is Hope

Tips To Succeed In Total Joint Replacement Rehab

Having a total joint replacement can be life-changing. Patients are thrilled to have restored mobility and less pain after surgery. However, to fully embrace the benefits of your new joint, you first need to navigate a few months of rehab, during which you work with a physical therapist to strengthen the muscles around the joint, encourage healing, and improve flexibility. Here are some tips to help you succeed during this period of total joint replacement rehab.

Consider an inpatient stay.

Often, after surgery, your doctor will give you a choice between returning straight home and spending a week or two in an inpatient rehab facility. As anxious as you might be to get home, it's often better to stay in rehab for a while if you're able to do so. In a rehab facility, you'll spend more time with physical therapists. You will also have professionals readily available to help you if you encounter any issues with your healing. Then, when you do return home, you'll be further along in your healing and better able to care for yourself.

Do your "homework."

You'll do a lot of rehab work during your physical therapy appointments. At first, you'll likely have these appointments a few days a week. But even if your physical therapy appointments leave you tired and sore, you really should push on and also do any homework exercises your physical therapist prescribes. Consistency is the key when recovering from joint replacement therapy, so doing something every day — even if it's just a little bit — will really help you heal.

Take your NSAID pain relievers.

Sometimes, after joint replacement, patients are proud that they can get by without taking their NSAID pain relievers. However, it is important to take these meds for as long as is recommended by your doctor and physical therapist. They do more than relieve pain. They also reduce inflammation, which can help you heal faster and can also make you more able to do the exercises your PT recommends. NSAIDs can also keep you a bit more comfortable so you can push yourself further in PT and do a better job of doing your homework.

With the tips above, you can have a more successful experience when rehabbing from joint replacement. It all comes down to taking your time, following your doctor's instructions, and pushing yourself a bit. Relief is just around the corner.