MedXPROS....total knee and hip replacements will become a large component of MET services over the next 20 years. The number of total knee replacements performed is estimated at 720,000 per year. TKR clients, if there are no major post-operative complications, will go through a brief bout of physical therapy. After which they are prime candidates for medical exercise training (MET) to increase strength, maintain or improve ROM/flexiblity, enhance joint stability and overall restore function. Every total joint replacement client needs MET in some form or fashion.

This video summarizes status of the client regarding swelling, ROM/flexibility and exercise programming. Three areas must be simultaneously addressed in the acute stages following TKR: 1) swelling/pain; 2) ROM/flexibility and 3) muscle recruitment/strength. In the acute stages these 3 are best handled in a physical therapy setting after discharge from the hospital. After these are addressed and the client is...

Medical Exercise Specialists…..total joint replacements will become a bigger part of your practices over the next 20 years. This is a continuation of the earlier blog post working with a total knee replacement client. Weight bearing status is important when working with TKRs. Upon discharge from the hospital the client is usually weight bearing to tolerance. After the surgery, the physician wants the client up within the first 24 hours walking with a walker weight bearing to their tolerance.

After the replacement, the knee is severely swollen with significant pain. The knee is usually wrapped and partially immobilized in extension. Pain management and safe ambulation are the focus in the hospital. Discharge occurs within 24 - 48 hours of the surgery. Depending on the client's home situation and family support, along with their weight bearing and ambulatory status, the client will go home or to a skilled nursing facility (SNF). If the client is discharged to their home,...