Getting partial knee replacement surgery isn’t something that anyone wants to experience. It’s painful; it’s disruptive and just generally unpleasant. But, one of the biggest concerns that people have going into it is whether they’ll be able to maintain the same level of mobility they had before the surgery. There’s no cookie-cutter answer to this question because it depends on the individual situation.
For instance, if you’re a highly active person that partakes in marathons and other high impact activities, you might experience a decline in your mobility levels. It’s a fact that your body won’t be able to function the same again but you can take measures to adapt after the surgery.
manual therapy for partial knee replacement
Can you continue high impact activities after knee replacement surgery?
Generally, high impact activities like running are discouraged after a surgery of this magnitude. That’s because your body needs time to heal and it might take weeks, months or years before you feel like your old self again. Your ability to perform impact activities after surgery will also depend on a number of factors like your age, your level of motivation and your health status before you went into surgery.
Plus, each surgeon has a unique rehabilitation protocol and it’s wise to follow that in order to speed up recovery. While most surgeons advise against partaking in certain activities during the rehabilitation period, you’ll be able to enjoy other activities like swimming, golfing and rowing for example.
Manual Therapy for Partial Knee Replacement Surgery
Your surgeon might also recommend manual therapy as part of your outpatient recovery program. Cooperating with your therapist and getting regular treatment sessions will help to prevent another knee replacement surgery in the long run.
It’s also beneficial to participate in manual therapy in preparation for the surgery. Depending on the situation, pre-surgery manual therapy can significantly improve your results and speed up the healing process after the surgery. It will also strengthen your knee and help you achieve a better range of motion.
What is Partial Knee Replacement Surgery?
As the name implies, partial knee replacement surgery is meant to replace a particular part of your knee. This could be the kneecap, the lateral or outside part of the knee or the medial aka inside part of the knee. The point is to get rid of damaged bone and tissue in the knee joint. The removed part is replaced with a prosthetic that helps your knee to function normally even with the missing part.
The good news is partial knee surgery typically has a quick recovery time when compared to total knee replacement surgery. But, you’ll need manual therapy for at least 4 to 6 weeks afterward to safely transition your joints and soft tissues to their former state.
Within two or three months you’ll be able to perform high impact activities like running and plyometrics. And, your knee should hold up for another 10 years without incident but eventually, you may need a full knee replacement, especially if you constantly put pressure on the knee due to frequent, impact activity.
