In the physical therapy world it is not uncommon for the P.T. abbreviation, which is supposed to stand for Physical Therapy, to also be referred to as Pain and Torture. Unfortunately this is a very common reference for those who have gone through a total knee replacement. But is the “no pain no gain” approach really the best?
For me it was a game changer. I was at a point six weeks post surgery where I truly felt that at 67 years old this might be how I was going to finish my life was just sort of hobbling around, and hope I didn’t hurt the other knee by doing that, but it gave me such a new lease on life. I’m 68 years old, soon to be 69, and I can see myself working for the next 10 years as long as I continue to enjoy it as I do, and I am literally pain free.
One of the biggest concerns among the aging population is falling, and for good reason. A fall can be the beginning of a decline in your lifestyle. It is also the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries in older Americans, according to the NCOA, or National Council On Aging.
I present building strength after knee surgery here so you can be an exception to the majority of knee patients who suffer a huge strength deficit after surgery… a deficit that can linger for weeks, months and even years.
Once you have a knee replacement or other knee surgery that compromised your knee range of motion, it is up to you to make the most of this new lease on life. One of the keys to doing just that is stretching after knee replacement.