When chronic knee pain, hip pain, or other joint pain interferes with a person’s ability to perform daily tasks, and non-surgical methods no longer work to relieve the pain, surgery may be the best option.  Not everyone wants to hear that they need surgery, but it may help to know that joint replacement is one of the most advanced and successful surgeries in modern medicine. Whether you’re in need of a hip replacement, knee replacement, or other joint replacement, the procedure can provide life-changing pain relief, restore your joint function, and significantly improve your quality of life. If you’ve heard the same thing about arthroplasty and you’re curious about how the two procedures compare, you may be surprised by what you learn.  

What is the difference between arthroplasty and joint replacement?

Short answer: Nothing at all.  The terms “arthroplasty” and “joint replacement” are two ways of referring to the same procedure in which part or all of a damaged joint is removed and replaced with artificial components.  Hip, knee, and shoulder arthroplasty are the most common, but the procedure can be done on most joints in the body, including elbows, wrists, and ankles.  Arthroplasty is used to treat joint damage from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, disease, and traumatic injury. Joint replacement surgery is typically recommended only after physical therapy and other non-surgical treatments have failed to provide relief and restore mobility. Recovering from arthroplasty is a lengthy process, but a commitment to a post-op rehabilitation program can help ensure a full recovery in the shortest time possible. 

What is joint replacement rehab?

Whether you call it arthroplasty or joint replacement, the particulars of your postoperative rehab will, of course, depend on the type of joint replacement you’ve had.  In general, rehab after arthroplasty involves physical therapy and sometimes occupational therapy as well. The goals of arthroplasty rehabilitation include:

• Pain management

• Safety and injury prevention

• Scar-tissue management

• Optimization of:

  • Range of motion

  • Muscle strength

  • Flexibility

  • Joint function

A strong arthroplasty rehab program involves a treatment plan created by a team of medical providers committed to helping you achieve a successful recovery and regain your independence as quickly as possible. Rehab programs can be inpatient or outpatient. Patients who have been discharged from the hospital following a joint replacement but who are not ready to return home to independent living can recuperate in a short- or long-term rehab facility. 

What to look for in a rehab facility

Bella Vista Health Center and other 5-Star skilled nursing facilities provide patients with a comfortable, nurturing environment as well as the care and therapies they need to recover. If you or a loved one is planning to undergo joint replacement surgery and think you could benefit from additional care after hospital discharge, here are some things to look for in a rehab facility:

• Therapists who specialize in joint replacement rehab

• Treatment plans developed by a team of medical professionals 

• A high staff-to-patient ratio

• Frequent one-on-one therapy sessions

• Nutritious, culturally diverse meals

• Coordination with family members when necessary

• Supplemental services and amenities

When you’re recovering from arthroplasty, Bella Vista’s total joint rehab program will provide you with everything you need in our 5-Star skilled nursing facility so you can focus on healing, optimizing joint function, and getting back to doing the things you love.

Seek joint replacement rehab in San Diego at Bella Vista Health Center

At Bella Vista, we offer short- and long-term physical therapy programs as well as essential services, social opportunities, and round-the-clock care. If you or someone you love is in need of rehabilitation after arthroplasty, give us a call at (619) 644-1000 to schedule a tour today