Dr. Howard Smith Oncall

  Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/14VE4UxOwW8   Initiating physical therapy, PT for short,  before or after knee replacement therapy significantly reduces that chances that a person will require long-term opioid pain therapy by some 25 to 29 percent.  Boston University researchers studied 67,322 persons who underwent total knee replacement surgery over a 20 year period.   Beginning PT either before or after the surgery reduces the need for prolonged opioids by 25% for those who had used or never used opioids previously.  Those who continued their PT for 13 or more sessions reduced their chances even more up to 29%.  On the other hand, delaying the initiation of PT following surgery for up to 30 to 60 days increases the risk of needing opioids by 1.5 to 2 times.   If you or a family member are planning knee surgery, be certain to establish a relationship with an experienced physical therapist before surgery.  This will permit you to begin PT when appropriate and reduce your chances of needing and getting hooked on