Massage and Knee Replacement Recovery
Two of the most common pathologies that lead to joint replacement surgeries are osteoarthritis and inflammatory, arthritic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis is marked by the gradual wearing down of cartilage. Osteoarthritis can be exacerbated by obesity.
Rheumatoid Arthritis is marked by inflammation of the tissue surrounding the joint, causing patients to experience pain, stiffness and swelling.
Many people struggling with either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, turn to massage therapy for relief before resorting to surgery. Arthroplasty (a surgical procedure to restore the function of a joint, i.e. knee replacement) can provide meaningful long-term benefits to patients, but they usually also come with long and arduous recoveries.
Knee-replacement surgeries are unavoidably traumatic, sometimes involving intentional cuts to bones, muscles and tendons, as well as joint dislocation.
Then there’s the new joint itself, an artificial element that takes time to fully bond and integrate with the patient’s body. After a knee replacement, the knee is often swollen and stiff while many other parts of the body are also affected, from the ankles to the hips and the back.
Although post-surgery massage can come with unique challenges, massage therapy can play a crucial role in the recovery process. Time-intensive, concentrated massage can benefit not only massage near the surgery site, but also in other affected areas. The massage therapist has the ability and time to really work on those issues affecting the whole body. Post-surgical massage can soothe the guarding reaction of tissues, helping them to return to normal function. There’s communication to the central nervous system through the tissues that the trauma is past, and that the nervous system and tissues can return to pre-trauma normal.
Once therapists are permitted to access the area surrounding the joint, they are able to promote healing more directly, both with lymphatic drainage massage and with soft-tissue massage aimed at breaking up scar tissue.
Lymphatic drainage massage is useful in reducing both pain and swelling by massaging away inflammation from the affected area as well as applying ice cup therapy.
Scar tissue often accompanies knee procedures.
The scar tissue can be made more pliable and functional and muscle dysfunctions such as trigger points can be released. All of this can increase joint ease and range of motion, and reduce pain while it supports and helps with physical therapy goals.
With the appropriate precautions, massage can prove to be an invaluable part of the recovery process.
