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How Do You Know if You’re Ready for Surgery?
We understand that joint replacement is a big decision—and not right for everyone, especially if you haven’t tried these non-operative treatment options first.
Joint Replacement Therapy
Our joint replacement therapists offer the latest postoperative therapy for all types of joint replacements.
If you are considering or planning to have a knee, hip or other joint replacement surgery, physical therapy is a key part. Without proper healing and recovery, you can increase your risk of long-term mobility issues, muscle weakness and other challenges. At Henry Ford Health, experts in our comprehensive joint replacement therapy program offer personalized treatment plans to help improve your long-term surgical outcome.
Joint replacement therapy: Why choose Henry Ford Health?
- Experienced team: Many of our joint replacement therapists have specialty certifications from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). You receive care from highly skilled experts who are always learning new and better ways to provide treatment.
- Convenient access: With locations throughout southeast and south central Michigan and the greater Flint area, we make it easy to find joint replacement therapy near you. Our large staff and extensive network mean you can get timely treatment near home, work or school.
- Prehabilitation before surgery: If you’re going to have a joint replacement surgery, you’ll benefit from our prehabilitation techniques. These enhance strength and range of motion, both before and after a procedure, which can lead to better outcomes during recovery.
- Integrated care and support: Joint replacement therapy is a collaborative effort. Our team stays in close communication with your referring orthopedic surgeon. We work with them to ensure we are following their surgical protocols as well as provide support before, during and after surgery to help aid your recovery.
- Streamlined referrals for complex cases: When necessary, your joint replacement therapist can refer you to other services within Henry Ford Health, such as pain management and integrative medicine.
FAQs about joint replacement therapy treatment at Henry Ford Health
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What Types of Joint Replacement Therapy Do You Offer?
Our joint replacement therapists offer postsurgical treatment for:
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What Can I Expect Before My Surgery?
Our comprehensive presurgical joint replacement therapy is designed to help prepare your body for your procedure. We’ll also review safety information. This includes:
- Assessment: We’ll conduct a thorough review of your joint motion and muscle strength, identifying any issues. We’ll also discuss your goals following your surgery.
- Initial therapy: Your joint replacement therapist will help you strengthen your muscles and improve your flexibility and range of motion.
- Education: Your joint replacement therapist will help you understand what to expect during your postsurgical treatment. This includes teaching you some exercises you can perform at home, showing you how to use walking aids such as a walker, reviewing precautions to create a safe home environment, and discussing how to minimize your fall risk and safely perform activities at work and home.
Presurgical joint replacement therapy may last for two or more weeks depending on the patient and specific procedure.
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What Can I Expect After My Surgery?
- Immediate therapy: Beginning joint replacement therapy soon after surgery can help lead to better outcomes. For many people, this means starting either the day of or day after surgery.
- Assessment: Like the presurgical assessment, we’ll conduct a thorough review of your joint motion and muscle strength.
- Personalized care plan: Based on your specific goals and needs, our joint replacement therapists can use a variety of manual therapy, functional training and other techniques to help you increase range of motion and strength in your new joint. We’ll also develop a personalized exercise program that’s designed to address specific areas of weakness.
- Education: During treatment, we’ll assess your pain level and help to coordinate pain management while your body is healing. This includes providing guidance on how to manage your pain while you’re at home. In addition, we’ll answer any questions you have about your treatment and review any home modifications you need to help ensure a safe environment while you recover.
While it varies by patient, postsurgical joint replacement therapy may last 2-4 months. The goal is to see regular improvements in pain relief and mobility starting as early as two weeks after your procedure.
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What Do I Need to Start Joint Replacement Therapy?
- Get a referral: A referral for joint replacement therapy that’s dated and has been signed by a physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner within the last 90 days.
- Make an appointment: With this referral, you can schedule an appointment by calling one of our locations, or through your Henry Ford MyChart account.
- Provide your information: Either way, our team will gather information from you about your surgery and referring provider, and will also verify your insurance coverage.
- Start your joint replacement therapy: Then you’ll be paired with the most appropriate orthopedic therapist for your needs and start your outpatient therapy.
You should also plan to attend regularly scheduled physical therapy appointments to ensure that you get the most out of treatment.
How to Support Someone After Joint Replacement
A little effort can go a long way to help a loved one after joint replacement surgery. Here are ways to make their recovery easier.
