Joint replacements are not necessarily a chronic condition, yet they offer older adults an opportunity for pain-free mobility. However, chronic conditions such as arthritis can lead to joint replacements with the most common being the knee, hip and shoulder.
Exercise benefits:
- Strengthening the muscles and connective tissues that move the joint is beneficial in helping the replaced joint.
- Prior to the joint replacement, the individual may have been sedentary due to pain associated with exercise. Exercising consistently will help increase cardiovascular conditioning, flexibility, balance and strength.
Exercise guidelines:
- Follow the health care provider’s recommendations and guidelines when returning to exercise after a joint replacement.
SilverSneakers class recommendations:
- SilverSneakers Yoga is a great class to return post-surgery and rehabilitation, as it provides a seated option for lower extremity joint replacements.
- Splash also provides a great low weight-bearing option for participants pre-and post- replacement.
Instructor tips for participants with joint replacements:
- Be sure participants follow all physician’s directives.
- Avoid teaching exercises that require excessive hyperflexion/hyperextension, rotation and abduction/adduction of the joint beyond physician-recommended directives.
- Communicate regularly with the participant to encourage gradual increases in exercise intensity.
- Be prepared to individualize and demonstrate modifications for progressive strength and range-of-motion exercises.