Are you thinking about a knee replacement soon? Or maybe you’re finally fed up enough with your knee pain that you decided to get it done. Congratulations!! Did you know that Pilates before a knee replacement surgery can help in your recovery?
As a Pilates instructor, I see lots of bodies and lots of different things going on in the body. As a general rule, I’m a fan of “do everything you can first before resorting to surgery”. But I’ve really changed that attitude when it comes to knee replacements. I have had the opportunity to work with a lot of clients pre and post knee replacements, and all of them have said something like this, “I’m so glad I did it! I can move and be active, and not have pain in my knee! I wish I had done it sooner!”
The clients who I taught Pilates to before their knee replacement swear by the benefits of their Pilates practice in helping them get through their recovery period with much more ease and speedier recoveries. These clients always come back and tell me how their physical therapist is so happy with their quick progress. They can’t believe how amazing their recovery is compared to others following the same journey.
A friend told me she was going to have a knee replacement soon. And when I asked her if she wanted to come in and do some Pilates before the surgery to prepare her she said, “I have 12 exercises they gave me and I’m doing them twice a day.” My response, “That is great. You should continue doing those exercises, but just doing the exercises won’t give you the same amazing benefits of doing Pilates before the surgery”.
I don’t know what exercises she was given, but I am sure they were all great exercises designed to strengthen the muscles in her legs and hips. As well as keep those muscles flexible and mobile. Since she was already doing these exercises, I told her we would start her Pilates practice intro by just going over those exercises, and applying the Pilates principles to those exercises so she could get more out of them.
If you’ve never practiced Pilates before you might be wondering what makes Pilates exercises different from the exercises the PT gave me as preparation? Here’s why I think there’s a huge difference.
1. Each Pilates exercise is a whole body exercise. We are not just strengthening the leg or the hip muscles! Yes, the Pilates exercises will strengthen those leg and hip muscles. But each exercise will also have you engaged, connected, and working your whole body. This comes in very handy when you are trying to figure out how to safely and effectively move your whole body around after your knee replacement surgery. When the nurses come in to get you up and walking after your surgery, you will appreciate your core strength, your upper body strength, and your ability to efficiently move all of your body. All thanks to your Pilates practice!
2. Pilates teaches you to initiate movement from your center. Having strong core muscles that support your body, and just knowing how to engage those core muscles, is so helpful when you are recovering from an injury that is causing the rest of your body to compensate. By having this knowledge and strength of how to engage those core muscles, you will be able to support your body better whether you are using a walker or crutches you’ll take some of the strain off of the rest of the body.
3. Body Alignment: Pilates is considered a corrective exercise. We are continually trying to create balance in our body by doing movements in alignment, and strengthening in alignment. Creating balance in your body is important for everyone. But if you are recovering from an injury or ailment that causes you to compensate in the rest of your body, it could save you from chronic pain, tightness, and even injuries long after your knee has healed.
So when’s the best time to start Pilates if you are contemplating a knee replacement? Of course, the sooner you start, the more prepared you’ll be. But honestly, even getting a few sessions in before the surgery with an experienced instructor can teach you some basic concepts that will help you immediately before and after the surgery.
After surgery you’ll want to talk to your doctor and physical therapist about the timing of starting regular sessions again.
