Question - Lateral Release (recovery timeline, goals)

by Tes
(UK)

How long generally would you say your rehab with physio will take. Is there a particular time span set for this? And what about goals, each week that you should be aiming for, and can you overdo it with too much exercise, how much pain should you put up with?

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Question - Lateral Release (recovery timeline, goals)

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Aug 13, 2008
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The general time frame differs for everyone...
by: Bart - SII

The lateral release recovery is very different for everyone when it comes to timelines - some of my former patients were back to running and playing sports in about 6 weeks, others it took 6 months.

In general, you should expect about 4-6 weeks of therapy with a clinician, usually 2-3 times a week, working on improving range of motion, strength, balance, endurance, pain, and function. After that, you should be back to normal daily life activities, and then working on strengthening at home on your own...that should continue for anywhere from 2-6 months until you regain your strength.

As far as weekly goals, you should try to continue to improve your motion every week until you have full motion - hopefully somewhere around 3-5 weeks after surgery. Being able to fully extend and lock your knee out all the way is the most important thing to start with. Once you can actively lock your knee out, you will be able to walk better, and will be able to move better.

Bending will come slower because of the swelling, and you may have some swelling for several months.

Pain is the best guide to how much you should be doing and how hard you should be pushing. Exercises should be uncomfortable, not significantly painful. You have to push through a bit of discomfort to progress but have to make sure you aren't causing significant pain.

Talk to your therapist and ask them to give you an outline of a time frame with goals to work towards - they probably already have goals written out for you. Also, you can get an idea of when you should be back to normal from your physician.

Bart

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Aug 13, 2008
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Submitted by: Bart - SII

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The lateral release recovery is very different for everyone when it comes to timelines - some of my former patients were back to running and playing sports in about 6 weeks, others it took 6 months. In general, you should expect about 4-6 weeks of therapy with a clinician, usually 2-3 times a week, working on improving range of motion, strength, balance, endurance, pain, and function. After that, you should be back to normal daily life activities, and then working on strengthening at home on your own...that should continue for anywhere from 2-6 months until you regain your strength. As far as weekly goals, you should try to continue to improve your motion every week until you have full motion - hopefully somewhere around 3-5 weeks after surgery. Being able to fully extend and lock your knee out all the way is the most important thing to start with. Once you can actively lock your knee out, you will be able to walk better, and will be able to move better. Bending will come slower because of the swelling, and you may have some swelling for several months. Pain is the best guide to how much you should be doing and how hard you should be pushing. Exercises should be uncomfortable, not significantly painful. You have to push through a bit of discomfort to progress but have to make sure you aren't causing significant pain. Talk to your therapist and ask them to give you an outline of a time frame with goals to work towards - they probably already have goals written out for you. Also, you can get an idea of when you should be back to normal from your physician. Bart

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