For Physical Therapists
These are the post-operative therapy protocols for my joint replacement patients. Each one is a two-page reference covering phase-by-phase goals, milestones, restrictions, and when to call my office. Download, print, and use them freely.
Two things are worth knowing before your first session. Therapy starts between post-operative day 5 and day 10 - deliberately later than many protocols - to let early swelling settle before loading the joint. And my primary hip patients are done through a Direct Superior approach, which means they do not follow hip precautions. Revision hips are done posteriorly and do.
If you are not sure which approach your patient had, call my office at (574) 247-9441 before treating.
Total Knee Replacement - Subvastus / Mako
Weeks 0–6. Phase goals, range-of-motion milestones, and escalation triggers.
Total Hip Replacement - Direct Superior (primary)
Weeks 0–6. No hip precautions. One restriction only.
Revision Total Hip Replacement - Posterior
Weeks 0–6. Standard posterior precautions apply. Confirm weight-bearing status before the first session.
Not sure which approach your patient had? Call (574) 247-9441 before treating.
Questions about a shared patient? Call (574) 247-9441 . I would rather field an unnecessary call than have a patient progressed against protocol.
