Rehabilitation after knee arthroplasty should be based on different stages of rehabilitation. Joint mobility training and muscle strength training are the main focus.
1. Early stage (1st~7th day after surgery): mainly focus on controlling pain and swelling and preventing infection. On the first day, control bleeding, moderate exercise, active or passive knee joint movement and active ankle joint movement without pain, and on the second day after surgery, start standing on the ground with walker, partially weight-bearing, and passive or encourage active straight leg raising to maintain muscle content.
2. Mid-term (2-6 weeks after surgery): the main purpose is to increase joint mobility, increase muscle strength to restore weight-bearing standing and walking function, and strengthen the balance function of the lower limbs. It is necessary to carry out active knee flexion and extension exercises to restore normal mobility, and progressive weight-bearing exercises, gait exercises with the help of a parallel bar, and proprioceptive exercises with the help of a dynamic balance trainer.
3. Late stage (7th~12th week after surgery): The main purpose is to strengthen muscle function, improve knee stability, functionality and self-care ability. Gradually increase the walking activities and the training of walking up and down stairs, increase the straight leg raising exercises in different positions to enhance the strength of the muscle groups around the hip joint, carry out continuous rehabilitation training, and review regularly until a satisfactory result is obtained.
Rehabilitation after knee replacement surgery should be intervened as early as possible under the guidance of professionals to avoid delaying the rehabilitation process and affecting the quality of life after surgery.