Total Hip Replacements (THR) and Total Knee Replacements (TKR) are commonly performed operations to relieve pain and disability, with the rate of joint replacement surgery increasing at a rapid rate for many years. In Australia currently 85,000 hip and knee replacement operations occur each year. Osteoarthritis is the leading cause of hip and knee replacements. Other principal causes for total hip replacements include a fractured neck of femur, avascular necrosis, dysplasia, and inflammatory arthritis. Exercise such as Clinical Pilates is a crucial part of preparing for, and recovering from, total hip and knee replacement surgery.
The majority of people get good pain relief after a joint replacement but having an artificial joint causes other challenges. Post surgery, people go through physiotherapy to regain range of movement and build strength. However, people can live with pain for years and years before going for the surgery so they have adopted some compensation strategies to reduce the pain. These compensation patterns will not disappear immediately after replacing the joint, and targeted exercise such as clinical Pilates is effective in retraining correct movement patterns and rebuilding your strength.
Clinical Pilates for Total Hip and Knee Replacement Surgery – Key Takeaways
- Clinical Pilates led by a physiotherapist is a safe and effective way to exercise pre- and post- hip or knee replacement surgery
- Exercise guided by a physiotherapist can begin within 1-2 weeks post operation
- Central Performance offers physiotherapist-led Clinical Pilates for post-operative clients individualised to your ability and goals
What Are The Benefits of Clinical Pilates Following Total Hip and Knee Replacement?
Pilates is an effective type of exercise to improve mobility, strength, balance, and movement control. Clinical Pilates with a physiotherapist provides individually tailored programs that are personalised to your injury and current level of fitness. Sonja and Brigitte are our skilled Pilates instructors at Central Performance, and they are experienced in identifying compensatory movements and developing a Pilates program to restore correct movement control and regain strength. Many of the mat Pilates exercises can be performed at home with little to no equipment except for a yoga mat. Clinical Pilates has emerged as a highly effective way to exercise for people recovering from hip and knee replacements. Here’s why it’s a top choice and what you should know:
1. Pilates Facilitates Optimal Healing After Hip and Knee Surgery
Clinical Pilates exercises are designed to support the healing process by focusing on gentle, controlled movements that align with the body’s natural healing process. Gentle movements can help maintain joint flexibility, promote blood circulation, and reduce the risk of complications such as muscle weakness or joint stiffness.
2. Tailored for Individual Needs
Clinical Pilates is distinct from traditional Pilates in that it’s customised to meet specific rehabilitation needs. For people recovering from hip and knee replacements, exercises are adapted to avoid stressing the new joint while still strengthening the surrounding muscles. This individualised approach ensures that you’re working within your comfort zone and gradually progressing as your recovery allows.
3. Focus on Core Strength and Stability
A strong core is crucial for overall body stability and joint health. Clinical Pilates emphasises core strength, which supports the hips and knees, reducing the risk of future injuries and improving overall movement efficiency. Strengthening the core can help you maintain better posture and alignment, which is particularly important after joint replacement surgery.
4. Improves Flexibility and Range of Motion
Post-surgery, maintaining and improving flexibility is essential for a full recovery. Clinical Pilates includes exercises that gently stretch and mobilise the hips and knees, enhancing their range of motion without putting undue stress on the joints. This can help alleviate stiffness and improve functional movement.
5. Low-Impact Exercise
One of the major advantages of Clinical Pilates is its low-impact nature. Unlike high-impact exercises, Pilates minimises stress on the joints while still providing an effective workout. This is especially beneficial for individuals recovering from joint replacement surgeries, as it helps to strengthen muscles without exacerbating any post-surgical discomfort.
6. Promotes Balanced Muscle Development
After joint replacement surgery, it’s common to experience imbalances in muscle strength and function. Clinical Pilates targets these imbalances by focusing on both the primary and supporting muscle groups around the hip and knee. This balanced approach helps to ensure that all relevant muscles are functioning optimally, which can improve joint stability and function.
7. Enhances Body Awareness and Control
Clinical Pilates encourages mindfulness and body awareness, teaching you how to move with control and precision. This increased awareness can help you perform daily activities with greater ease and reduce the risk of future injuries. It also aids in the proper execution of rehabilitation exercises, ensuring that you are maximising their benefits.
8. Supports Mental Well-being
Recovering from surgery can be mentally and emotionally challenging. Engaging in Clinical Pilates can offer a sense of accomplishment and progress, which can boost your mood and motivation. The focus on breathing and mindful movement also helps to reduce stress and promote relaxation, contributing to overall well-being.
Why is Clinical Pilates Beneficial Before Surgery?
Due to the low impact nature of Pilates, people can often use Pilates to maintain their current range of movement and improve strength before having the surgery. The stronger a person is before a surgery, the better the outcomes post operation. The selected Pilates exercises can also help to improve compensatory movement habits prior to surgery. Pilates is great at addressing the body as a whole and not only concentrating on the injured area. It trains the whole body as a system and establishes muscle memory of the involved joint as well as the surrounding joints. Starting your Pilates journey before the surgery is also very helpful to develop a good working relationship with your physiotherapist Pilates instructor, so that you build trust and understanding for that helps you progress after your operation. Pilates before the operation is designed to allow a person to cope better with their symptoms and feel like they can still participate in exercise despite the upcoming surgery.
How Soon After Total Hip or Knee Replacement Surgery Can I Return to Pilates?
Central Performance Pilates physios can fully assess and treat you after your surgery, and inform you when it is safe to participate in Pilates. Our Pilates instructors are physiotherapists so you can remain with the same therapist from initial physio consultation post-operation and the whole way through your rehabilitation journey to doing Clinical Pilates classes or Clinical Pilates as a private 1:1 session.
In the early post-operative phase, Pilates exercises are modified depending on individual pain levels and surgeon movement restrictions. The various levels of Pilates exercises and different pieces of equipment can provide an enjoyable exercise routine post-surgery and improve client’s confidence with movement, ideally developing a long term habit of maintaining and improving overall health and fitness.
Research has encouraged people to begin the postoperative rehabilitation in Clinical Pilates within two weeks of being discharged from hospital. After six weeks of healing, the posterior hip precautions are eased and people can advance their level of exercise.
Should I Feel Pain While Exercising After Total Hip Replacement or Total Knee Replacement?
Post-surgery, it’s important to approach exercise with caution to ensure that you’re supporting your recovery rather than hindering it. Pain management and understanding acceptable levels of discomfort are crucial for a successful rehabilitation process. Here’s a guide to understanding what level of pain is typically acceptable when resuming exercise after surgery:
1. Mild Discomfort vs. Pain
- Mild Discomfort: It’s normal to experience some mild discomfort or soreness when you begin exercising after surgery. This is often due to the muscles and tissues adjusting to new movements and can be a sign that you’re engaging those areas in a beneficial way. Mild discomfort should be manageable and not interfere significantly with your daily activities or increase over time.
- Pain: Sharp, intense, or persistent pain is not a normal part of the recovery process and should not be ignored. Pain that is severe, increases with activity, or continues after exercise can be an indication that you’re pushing too hard or that something may be wrong with the healing process.
2. Listening to Your Body
- Pay Attention to Signals: It’s essential to listen to your body and differentiate between discomfort and pain. Discomfort typically feels like mild soreness or stiffness, while pain is often sharp, throbbing, or debilitating.
- Stop if Necessary: If you experience pain that is outside the realm of mild discomfort, stop the exercise immediately. Rest and consult with your physiotherapist to assess the situation and determine if adjustments to your exercise routine are needed.
3. Guidelines for Exercise After Hip and Knee Surgery
- Follow Professional Advice: Adhere to the guidelines and recommendations provided by your surgeon and physiotherapist. They will offer specific advice tailored to your type of surgery and overall health.
- Start Slow and Gradual: Begin with gentle exercises and gradually increase intensity as tolerated. This helps to ensure that you’re not overloading your healing tissues and allows you to gauge how your body is responding.
- Monitor Pain Levels: Keep track of your pain levels before, during, and after exercise. Mild discomfort that subsides shortly after stopping the exercise is generally acceptable. However, if pain persists or worsens, it’s important to reassess your exercise routine.
- Use Pain as a Guide: While some discomfort is normal, pain should not be used as a measure of how effective an exercise is. Effective rehabilitation should focus on gradual progress without causing undue pain.
4. When to Seek Help
- Persistent Pain: If you experience pain that doesn’t improve or worsens over time, consult your physiotherapist to ensure that there are no complications or issues with the healing process.
- Post-Surgical Complications: Watch for signs of complications such as swelling, redness, or increased warmth around the surgery site, which could indicate infection or other issues.
When resuming exercise after surgery, the goal is to find a balance between challenging your body and avoiding unnecessary pain. Mild discomfort is generally fine and part of the normal healing process, but sharp or persistent pain is a signal to seek advice from a physiotherapist. Always follow the guidance of your physiotherapist, start with gentle movements, and gradually increase intensity to support a successful recovery following total hip and knee replacement surgery.
Clinical Pilates Exercise for Rehabilitation After Hip and Knee Surgery – FAQ’s
Does it matter if I had an anterior or posterior approach for my total hip replacement? Am I still suitable for Clinical Pilates?
You are suitable for Clinical Pilates regardless of the approach type you had for your total hip replacement. The exercise selection will be different due to different incision sites and the recovery times are different. The surgery is performed with an incision at the front (anterior approach) or the back (posterior approach) of the hip. A posterior approach requires a longer recovery time as the surgeon cuts through the muscle to access the hip joint. An anterior approach has less trauma to the musculature surrounding the joint as the muscle is moved to the side to get to the joint therefore you can return to activities sooner.
How often should I attend Pilates after the surgery?
A study conducted in 2009 looked at creating a specific Pilates exercise protocol for patients to do after having a total knee or hip replacement. These participants did Pilates exercise for at least 1 hour 3-4 times per week. This study showed all patients were either extremely satisfied or satisfied with their outcome.
When should I expect results for exercise?
You will notice an improvement in your range of movement and discomfort levels quite quickly which will translate into your everyday life of walking, sitting, and going up and down stairs. However, to build strength and make long lasting changes to the hip can take a few weeks to months. It’s all about remaining consistent and sticking with it in the early stages of rehabilitation. The more consistent you are with your exercises, and the longer you stick with your program, the more benefit you will get.
How long after my total knee or hip replacement do I have to wait before starting exercise?
After a total knee replacement, you can begin gentle mat Pilates exercises such as heel slides, clamshells, ¼ squats, and heel kicks as early as the first 1-2 weeks. After 2 weeks, there are so many exercises on the reformer and Cadillac you can do to assist with range of movement and strength, for example bridging and leg press. Pilates Instructors can also focus on other areas of the body during your sessions such as upper body and core exercises, so that youmaintain and improve your overall fitness and strength while you are recovering from your operation.
Do I Need To Have Seen A Physio Before Beginning Clinical Pilates For My Hip Or Knee?
No. You can commence Clinical Pilates at Central Performance at any time before or after your total hip or knee replacement. No referral is needed. If you are unsure whether you need physiotherapy or Clinical Pilates, feel free to call Central Performance on 9280 2322 to discuss your situation.
Can I Claim For Clinical Pilates Sessions Using My Health Fund?
Yes. All of your Clinical Pilates sessions can be claimed on-the-spot through your health fund through the HICAPS system. You will need to bring your health fund card along with you. Please check with your health fund for eligibility and rebate details.
Clinical Pilates At Central Performance – Surry Hills
Pilates Physios – Sydney / Surry Hills
The Clinical Pilates program at Central Performance is delivered by Sonja and Brigitte, who are both physios with advanced training in all areas of Pilates including mat, studio and reformer Pilates. By combining their physiotherapy knowledge with professional Pilates training they are able to provide clients with effective exercise programs that progress through all stages of injury management, from early rehab to end-stage functional training including complex whole-body movements.
The wide variety of Pilates equipment we have available at Central Performance means that our Pilates sessions are very adaptable to meet the needs of each client. It also means that sessions are engaging and challenging due to the wide variety of exercises available. The equipment we use includes the reformer, Cadillac, Wunda chair, barrel and mat work.
Our Pilates program also covers exercise sessions for general health and fitness. Often, once clients progress past the injury management stage of the Pilates program (i.e. the more “clinical” stage of Pilates), they continue on with Pilates sessions to continue improving their strength, stability, flexibility and overall fitness. This can include private (1:1), semi-private (2:1) and small group sessions.
For more information on the Clinical Pilates program at Central Performance click the buttons to read more, make an enquiry or to book online.
Small Group Clinical Pilates Sessions – Physio Pilates In Surry Hills / Sydney
Our small group Clinical Pilates sessions gives people post surgery the confidence that highly qualified physiotherapists are closely supervising each exercise. At Central Performance, our maximum group size for Pilates Classes is 4 participants. This allows for each individual to receive personalised attention. Close supervision can give people following surgery the confidence to enjoy exercise and build motivation to continue to work towards their goals. At Central Performance, you will join a supportive, friendly atmosphere, where people motivate and encourage each other to push and excel in their health and fitness journey.
Central Performance Clinical Pilates Class Schedule
