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As published on “Health is Action” magazine
Fall/Winter 2020
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.
Orthopedic Surgical Care
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.
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.
Instead of just exercising on your own, however, work with a physical therapist, either in person or via telemedicine, to learn exercises that target specific muscle groups. If you’re waiting for shoulder replacement surgery, for example, a physical therapist can recommend a workout to condition the rotator cuff, which
is a muscle deep inside the shoulder that stabilizes the shoulder joint.
A physical therapist can recommend exercises most people don’t know how to do that can improve their outcome after surgery,” Dr. Badia says.
Alejandro Badia, M.D., is an internationally renowned hand and upper-limb surgeon and founder of Badia Hand to Shoulder Center and OrthoNOW®, a network of immediate orthopedic care centers. Dr. Badia is the author of Healthcare from the Trenches.
Please call (305)227-4263 to request an appointment with Dr. Alejandro Badia.
Related news: Dr. Badia In The News
