Joint Replacements and Exercise

Over 1 million Americans undergo joint replacements every year. These procedures can drastically improve the quality of one’s life but will usually result in loss of strength, decreased motion and dysfunctional movement. The right kind and amount of exercise can help improve mobility, strength and motor control. Which will help make daily activities easier and, hopefully, more enjoyable.

What exactly is the right kind of exercise? That usually depends on the person. As a Joint Replacement Fitness Specialist, I perform a comprehensive assessment in order to design an exercise program tailored to the individual. I first try to determine why the joint needed replaced (usually due to dsyfunctional movement patterns, not only in the replaced joint, but the joints around it). I then work to improve the proprioceptive input which can include sensory stimulus, scar tissue release, motor control drills and functional movement exercises. These help to not only improve mobility, strength and control but to decrease the risk of future injury.