Ask a PT

156 Posts
 
Posted - 03/13/2007 :  14:37:44  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Our user asked: "Should my theraphist be working on my gait . I had bilateral knee total replacemnt. My friend says I still do a rocking motion when walking at times. and I still, 8wks post op tend to have to push my self up from sitting, is this normal or should my theraphist be working on my not doing this push off to get up?"

Ask a PT Response: "Gait training is definitely something a therapist should work on with their patient after a surgery such as a knee replacement. However, there could be limiting factors such as decrease range of motion, decrease strength or pain which could affect your gait mechanics. Your therapist might be concentrating on this more so that improvements in these areas can help improve your gait mechanics. Nevertheless, if you are having difficulty with your gait, utilizing an assistive device such as a cane or wheeled walker may be beneficial so as to help train you to perform a more normal gait pattern. That way your gait will be more normal and you will have less to work on when you are ready to ambulate without an assistive device. You mention you still have to push off from sitting. At 8 weeks post op, it is not uncommon for some individuals. This could suggest that you may still have some weakness or range of motion issues which are limiting this task. I would recommend that you communicate with your therapist and express your concerns and develop goals together so that you can both be on the same page with each other. Thanks for using CyberPT."