Athletes May Prolong Their Careers With Knee Replacement

Athletes are finding that the prolonged impacts of running, jumping and even being tackled are causing undo stress on their knees and joints. These effects are long lasting and could ultimately require a partial or total knee replacement. Knee replacement surgery is becoming an option for more and more athletes as they extend their careers rather than just retire due to the extent of their injuries. The road to recovery can long and arduous but with the consultations with their doctor and rigorous physical therapy they can regain nearly full mobility and it may be possible to again return to their sport.

Physical therapy can be the key to a faster and more efficient recovery. There are a variety of programs designed to help athletes get back to their vitality following knee replacement surgery. A physical therapist will generally visit the patient the day after the surgery and begin helping the patient to gently extend the joint. Intense pain can be an issue immediately following the surgery. Once the sutures have been removed, the patient can begin swimming and participating in aqua therapy in conjunction with other types of physical therapy. The use of flex machines and other therapy programs after surgery can help increase flexibility for knee mobility. These days, knee replacement surgery and the following physical therapy can give an athlete further options for extending their lucrative careers.

Although strenuous and impact heavy sports are generally discouraged, it is possible for an athlete to resume their normal activities within reason. The recovery process can take anywhere from a few months up to a year, and varies patient by patient. Low impact sports such as golf or swimming can be resumed for some athletes within the first 12 months of having a knee replacement surgery. Higher impact activities such as running, cycling and jumping can take longer for the athlete to recover from and re-acclimate. Recovery times vary from person to person. The more committed to their recovery that they are, and the more closely that they follow the instructions given to them by their surgeon and physical therapist, the more quickly they can be back on their feet.

Knee replacement surgery techniques and recovery times have made huge advances over the decades. Programs have been developed to increase the ability to prolong an athlete's career after having knee replacement surgery. Pain Free Knees, a program developed by Jerry Seaman, following his own knee replacement surgery has had fantastic results for many patients. Visit http://www.knee-replacement-video.com today to see what a difference this patented program can make in your recovery.