Physical Therapy Advice: Avoiding Knee Surgery

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• Before Knee Surgery, Give Physical Therapy A Chance, Expert Says

  When knee problems occur, sometimes surgery is the answer, but often physical therapy is enough to provide relief, says Lori Thein Brody, a physical therapist and athletic trainer at the UW Health Spine Physical Therapy Clinic.

  Physical therapy is usually the best route in cases of micro trauma or over use, Brody said. People who haven’t experienced a sudden injury, but rather experienced pain gradually—like a runner who develops knee pain—are the best candidates for physical therapy.

  Studies have shown getting stronger, increasing mobility of both the joint and adjacent joint, and improving core strength will improve function and decrease pain for many knee injuries, Brody said.

  Patients with arthritis in their knee can also benefit from physical therapy before surgery, Brody said. In the absence of a knee replacement, physical therapy is the number one type of intervention. It can help strengthen the knee and take pressure off the joint.

  Even when knee surgery is inevitable, physical therapy before surgery improves the outcome, she said.

  “You are actually conditioning yourself for the surgery,” Brody said. “So on the other side you get better more quickly.”

  Occasionally one of Brody’s patients will say they don’t want to waste time doing physical therapy before the surgery, however working with a therapist can prolong surgery by up to a year and make recovery much quicker, she said.

  Patients know it’s time to have the surgery when the bad days outweigh the good ones, Brody said.

  “Typically they can’t stand the pain anymore,” she said. “Or when you find your world becoming smaller and smaller, then that may be the time to have it done.”

  In Wisconsin, appointments can be made directly with a physical therapist, but Brody suggested checking with your insurance and contacting your primary provider’s office so they can help you determine if physical therapy is the right fit.