More than a million Americans undergo a joint replacement surgery each year, and as obesity rates remain high, it seems likely that those numbers will remain steady or continue to climb in the near future. However, it doesn’t have to be this way. If you’re over the age of 40 and at average risk for a future joint replacement, don’t just cross your fingers and hope your joints stay healthy. Instead, take proactive steps to protect your joints and lower your risk of needing a joint replacement operation in the future. Arguably the best way to do that is by connecting with a physical therapist. In today’s blog, we explain why working with a physical therapist can be so beneficial if you hope to stave off joint replacement.
Physical Therapy For Joint Replacement Prevention
If you’re dealing with moderate to severe joint pain and are concerned that a joint replacement procedure may be in your future, odds are the first line of treatment that will be recommended by a medical professional will not be surgery. Far more often than not, your medical team will work to address the issue with conservative techniques, and whether it is a shoulder, hip or knee issue, the most common form of treatment for these joints involves a physical therapy plan.
But why is physical therapy so effective at warding off a variety of joint issues? Because physical therapy attacks the problem in a number of different ways. By working with a physical therapist, you can work to prevent the need for joint replacement surgery by:
- Strengthening The Joint – Physical therapy exercises are designed to strengthen the affected joint and the surrounding muscles and soft tissues. Stronger joints and stronger supportive muscles can more easily perform a number of movements and actions.
- Stabilizing The Joint – Your physical therapist will also target the surrounding structures that provide essential support to your shoulder, hip or knee. Unstable joints are more likely to be symptomatic and are at an elevated risk for dislocation or similar injuries. By addressing the underlying instability, you can reduce your likelihood of needing to have the unstable joint replaced.
- Expanded Comfortable Range Of Motion – If you’re struggling to move your shoulder or leg normally, or certain movements are causing pain, sync up with a physical therapist. We specialize in helping patients expand their comfortable range of motion and increase or maintain flexibility in their joints. Movement limitations are a common reason why patients seek out a joint replacement, and we can help restore this decreased flexibility.
- Posture/Movement Adjustments – Your joints may be wearing down faster than normal as a result of abnormal stress that is being put on them due to your posture or your movement patterns. Our physical therapists can help you move and position your body more ergonomically so that certain joints aren’t overstressed as easily.
- Diet/Weight Management – Being overweight or obese is a common contributing factor in the need for a hip or knee replacement. Let our team take a closer look at your diet and related lifestyle factors and assist in the development of a program to help you work towards a more optimal weight. Little tweaks to your diet and exercise habits can go a long way in helping you shed some weight, which can take a lot of strain off your hip and knees.
- Injury/Surgery Recovery – If you suffered a joint injury in the past that never fully healed, you could be at an increased risk for a joint replacement. We can help you overcome a joint injury or ensure you fully heal after a surgical procedure. If these areas remain weak, not only are they at risk for injury, but the opposite joint may inherently end up taking on more stress to compensate for this weakness, increasing its risk of expedited degeneration. Don’t let a previous injury or surgery contribute to the eventual need for a replacement operation. Connect with a physical therapist instead.
Not only can physical therapy save you from undergoing surgery and an extended recovery, but it can also help to save you money. Physical therapy is a much cheaper alternative than surgery, so let us help you regain confidence in your joints all while keeping more money in your pocket. For more information, or to set up your first appointment, give the team at OrthoRehab Specialists a call today at (612) 339-2041.