Also important, but not discussed, is the rehabilitation protocol after any joint-replacement surgery. Optimally, physical therapy should start while the person is still in the hospital and should continue uninterrupted in the home or in a skilled nursing facility. Through progressive resistive exercises and facilitation techniques, a home physical therapist can assist the patient with gaining sufficient strength, muscle endurance and mobility to begin outpatient physical therapy often within a week to 10 days after hospital discharge. Additionally, a home-safety evaluation is performed and recommendations are made to improve efficiency in transfers in and out of bed and up and down from appropriate chairs.

As a specialist in rehabilitation, I encourage people who are contemplating joint-replacement surgery to ask the physician not only the surgical approach that will be used, but also the post-op rehabilitation protocol that will be followed. It can make a difference in overall recovery time.

Jeannie Aisenbrey

Durango