As published on “Health is Action” magazine
Painful, arthritic hips, knees or shoulders can make even the simplest movements impossible. To regain mobility, more people in their 40s, 50s and 60s are deciding joint replacement surgery (arthroplasty) is the smartest choice. And if you’re in your 70s or 80s, joint replacement can allow you to continue to live independently.
Get stronger with physical therapy
If you haven’t exercised much lately or ever, it’s not too late to start. Stronger quadriceps (thigh muscles), hamstrings and tendons (fibrous tissue that attaches muscle to bone) before knee or hip replacement surgery can help you get back on your feet faster afterward, with better range of motion.
Alejandro Badia, M.D, F.A.C.S.
“Every joint is powered by muscletendon units. If those aren’t up to par, you won’t get the result [from replacement] that you could,” says Dr. Alejandro Badia, a Florida hand and upper extremity surgeon.
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