What is it?

Knee replacement, also called arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure to resurface a knee damaged by arthritis. Metal and plastic parts are used to cap the ends of the bones that form the knee joint, along with the kneecap. This surgery may be suited for someone who has severe arthritis or a severe knee injury.

Several types of arthritis may affect the knee joint. Osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease that affects mostly middle-aged and older adults, may cause the breakdown of joint cartilage and adjacent bone in the knees. Rheumatoid arthritis, which creates inflammation of the synovial membrane and results in excessive synovial fluid, can lead to pain and stiffness. Traumatic arthritis, arthritis due to injury, may cause damage to the cartilage of the knee.

The goal of knee replacement surgery is to resurface the parts of the knee joint that have been damaged and to overcome knee pain that cannot be managed by other treatments.

total knee replacement

What to expect in Physical Therapy

The physical therapist is an integral part of the team of health care professionals who help patients receiving a total knee replacement recover movement and function, and return to daily activities. Your physical therapist can help you recover from surgery, and develop an individualized treatment program to get you moving again in the safest and most effective way possible.

If you have any questions or concerns before or after surgery, please feel free to call Flicker Physical Therapy! 

As You Start to Recover

You will typically start in-home or outpatient physical therapy within 3 days of getting out of the hospital. The goal of the first 2 weeks of recovery is to manage pain, decrease swelling, heal the incision, restore normal walking, and initiate exercise. After those 2 weeks, your physical therapist will tailor your range-of-motion exercises, progressive muscle-strengthening exercises, body awareness and balance training, functional training, and activity-specific training to address your specific goals and get you back to the activities you love!

Range-of-motion exercises. Swelling and pain can make you move your knee less. Your physical therapist can teach you safe and effective exercises to reclaim movement (range of motion) to your knee, so that you can accomplish your daily activities.

strength exercise

Strengthening exercises. Weakness of the muscles of the thigh and lower leg could make you need to still use a cane when walking, even after you no longer need a walker or crutches. Your physical therapist can decide which strengthening exercises are right for you.

soft tissue message

Soft tissue massage/Scar Mobilizations. Your physical therapist will massage your leg to assist with circulation and to reduce overall stiffness. This is normally the patients favorite part! They will also work on mobilizing your scar so that there are no adhesions to limit your range of motion.

Balance training. Specialized training exercises encourage your muscles to “learn” to react to changes in your environment, such as uneven sidewalks or rocky ground. When you can put your full weight on your knee without pain, your physical therapist may add agility exercises (such as turning and shifting direction when walking, or making quick stops and starts) and activities using a balance board that challenge your balance and knee control. Your program will be based on the physical therapist’s examination of your knee, on your goals, and your activity level and general health.

functional training

Functional training. When you can walk freely without pain, your physical therapist may begin to add activities that you were doing before your knee pain started to restrict you. These might include community-based efforts, such as crossing a busy street or getting on and off an escalator. Your program will be based on the physical therapist’s examination of your knee, on your goals, and your activity level and general health.

The timeline for returning to leisure or sports activities ranges from person-to-person; your physical therapist will be able to determine your unique timeline based on your particular condition.

Activity-specific training. Depending on the demands of your job or the type of sports you play, you might need further rehabilitation that is tailored to your job activities (such as climbing a ladder) or sport activities (such as swinging a golf club) and the demands that they put on your knee. Your physical therapist can produce an individualized rehabilitation program for you that brings all of these demands into account.

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Happy Customers

Testimonials

I love the staff here! They are all so pleasant, kind, and caring! They all have good knowledge of physical mechanics. Tim is good at assessing my pain and knowing what to assign me to do. I like the style of exercises, rather than chiropractic manipulation.
Shelley Page
Shelley Page
16:36 17 May 23
I’ve been a patient for on going medical reasons I love coming to Flicker Physical Therapy they are so nice and helpful and are so professional they treat me so well and care for my needs and concerns they are understanding of my disabilities, anxiety and are willing to accommodate my scheduling that works best for me!! 10/10 would recommend coming to this place!!
Allyson Riley
Allyson Riley
02:42 17 Feb 23
These people have been awesome to work with after my double knee replacement. Thanks everyone for getting me on my feet again in the time I spent with your great staff
Tab Fleming
Tab Fleming
17:15 25 Jan 23
Tim, Pam, and the other staff are tremendous! They know their jobs and do all in their power to treat everyone to the best of their ability. I would highly suggest them. They even do home visits.
Carla Parrish Aylworth
Carla Parrish Aylworth
06:12 02 Nov 22
After my prior physical therapist retired I was unsure where to go after my knee replacement. Let's start off with the good. I worked mainly with Paige and Matt. They were both extremely knowledgeable and knew just how to motivate me to push through the pain. Once the pain decreased they made it fun to be there. Matt helped me with my goal of being able to run again and I hadn't been able to run for years. Now for the bad....there is none. I highly recommend Flicker to anyone needing help getting back on their feet. I pray that I won't need to go back but I would look forward to it if I did.
Leo Snell
Leo Snell
20:04 14 Oct 22
Amazing skills and service. Helped me recover from an ACL injury in 3 months. Came in 48 hrs after the injury and their care and expertise made all the difference in my recovery. Like all physical therapy you have to work hard at home too but their phone app exercises help you know what to do to be successful at home. Their physical therapists and assistants all take great interest in their patients and really know what they are doing. Great one on one care. Physical therapists are very involved in the experience.
Alisha Bailey
Alisha Bailey
16:29 23 Feb 22
I progressed from a walker to a quad cane to a hiking pole to my bicycle because of Flicker Physical Therapy. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly. Need I say more?
Scott Stone
Scott Stone
17:05 06 Dec 21
I have been a patient with Flicker physical therapy for 3 months. After having two TKR’s I needed a lot of help to get moving! I have had incredible therapists in my Home health recovery and afterward in their clinic. I have always been treated with respect and taken care of beyond what I could have imagined! Thanks to Tim, Trina, Pam, Ryan, and Brekell specifically for all your patience and hard work to get me walking again! I highly recommend Flicker Physical Therapy for PT! Sincerely,Vanessa Treadwell
Highly recommend Flicker for all your PT needs. Very professional and work as a team. They are very good at explaining exactly what they are doing and why. I was there for both of my knee replacements and would go back if I ever need PT again.
Stephen L. Fuda
Stephen L. Fuda
22:19 07 Mar 20
Jarrod Brownsberger
Jarrod Brownsberger
18:25 04 Feb 20
I had a knee replacement and everyone at Flicker Physical Therapy has been amazing!! I would recommend anyone who needs physical therapy go there! No matter who you work with, you’ll be glad you did. Thank you everyone at Flicker. I appreciate all of you and the wonderful job you do.
Wendy Johnson Baker
Wendy Johnson Baker
18:47 22 Oct 19
The staff at Flicker are all amazing; everyone is so friendly and helpful.
Shannon Paulson
Shannon Paulson
01:31 16 Oct 19
I have been going to them since April. I felt very comfortable and informed every time. One on one care has been exceptional. They listen to what you are saying and change the plan if needed. The entire staff is friendly and very knowledgeable. I would recommend them in a second,
Teresa Martin
Teresa Martin
15:03 13 Aug 19
They took such good care of husband after knee surgery!
Barbara Houser
Barbara Houser
00:01 13 Aug 19
Would recommend Flicker Physical Therapy. Jarrod helped me get my shoulder back in working condition after surgery. He was very efficient and did great job. Everyone was friendly and caring. Good job Flicker and physical therapist Jarrod.
Steven Allbright
Steven Allbright
00:23 18 Jun 19
They are professional and very detailed. No doddling around, they get right to working with your injury, they don't push you past your limit.
Jolene Kiggins
Jolene Kiggins
03:54 22 May 19
The staff are all knoweldgeable, friendly and welcoming. I'm always impressed with the different techniques they use on my therapy. Unlike other places where they have you doing the same things over and over with very little variety. I also like the way they show special care to the elderly clients. I would highly recommend Flicker PhysicalTherapy !
Tru To Mee
Tru To Mee
19:22 04 Feb 19
Had physical therapy, after a total knee replacement, with physical therapist Mike. The best experience I've ever had. One on one personal attention to specific needs. He's very personable & easy to talk to. He made me feel comfortable, confident & relaxed in the approach we took to gain strength back in my knee. I wish I could keep him for myself. Lol
Lora Ellis
Lora Ellis
14:02 19 Jul 18
Not thrilled about having to do therapy afterward my at home therapy for three weeks. (Had hip replacement done). However, with bursitis in hip that travels down leg, the therapy seems to be helping very much . Mary is really patient with me and she explains things to reassure me. I still have a way to go . I would recommend Dr Flicker and his wife's place if you need help in this field.
Jane Lash Green
Jane Lash Green
21:38 27 Jul 17
Everyone was very nice and professional. Thank you for everything you had done for me. You all feel like family And I will be back if I ever need physical therapy again. Thank you Kylie you are Awsome.
Paula Blackner
Paula Blackner
18:27 24 Mar 17
they are really nice. i like the place. they seem to understand the fact that i was abused and scared of trying things new. i am glad my doctor refered me to this place 🙂
Jewels Summers
Jewels Summers
13:41 20 Mar 17
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