Why Knee Replacement and Weight Training Can Work Together

So, you are finally home after your total knee replacement. Your leg is swollen, you are in pain, and you may even have a slight post-operative temperature. You are having trouble just getting to your feet with the help of a walker. Weight training as part of your rehabilitation plan seems like an impossibility. And, in fact, at this stage of your recovery, you should be concentrating on simple movements and giving your body the rest it needs to heal. Most doctors will advise against the use of any weight lifting exercises for quite an extended period of time after your surgery.

In the initial weeks following your knee replacement surgery, you will be asked to slowly perform various exercises to ease into using your new joint. At first, you will likely try stretching exercises that you can do while you are in bed. As soon as you are able, you should be doing sitting exercises to increase the flexibility of the knee. Later you can move on to exercising with your walker. This is a natural progression to improve your mobility without overdoing it and causing damage to your knee. While you might not be doing formal weight training, you are working with the weight resistance of your own body.

As you move further into the rehabilitation process, you will be encouraged to participate in more activities that work the knee. You should try to get back into your normal routines and household chores as you feel ready. It may be at this point you can introduce weight training in your recovery plan. However, you must avoid any exercise that will put too much pressure on your new joint.

Even if you are feeling well, you need to seek the approval of your physician and your physical therapist before you undertake any new exercise following a total knee replacement. Just like your natural knee, an artificial joint can show signs of wear. You want your knee to last as long as possible, so stick to the advice of your doctor to keep your knee at its healthiest. Your goal is to have a pain-free joint, not to be a marathon runner. If the activities you once loved are on the list of things to avoid, work with your physical therapist to find ways to participate safely.

While there have been great advances in medical technology, a successful outcome is determined by the patient's attitude and willingness to do the necessary therapy. It is up to you the patient to find and follow an exercise program that has already shown proven results. Equally important is finding a trainer or mentor who has a positive attitude toward recovery from knee surgery and who can teach anyone the same mindset. Believing it can be done and working with someone who has already achieved the desired results is the key to returning to normal activities and remaining free from pain.