To help you return to daily activities as quickly and safely as possible, your orthopaedic surgeon may prescribe physical therapy, as the preferred treatment method of rehabilitating injured joints, tendons and ligaments. Riverside offers outpatient physical therapy in eight convenient locations on the Peninsula and the Middle Peninsula. 

Physical therapists are health care professionals educated in anatomy and physiology, as well as, the mechanical and physical functions of the human body. They work under the direction of your orthopaedic surgeon in providing rehabilitative care. 

What to Expect
When visiting your physical therapist, it is best to wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing such as sweat pants or shorts and a T-shirt.  Your therapist will begin by assessing the current condition of your knee function including level of pain, range of motion and strength. You will also be asked questions about your overall health, lifestyle and activities.

Assesment
Based on the assessment, you and your therapist will establish treatment goals. For instance, your goals may include increasing the range of motion in your knee, reducing swelling and pain or increasing endurance. A customized treatment plan also known as the Riverside Road to Recovery will be developed so you can see the path to reaching your goals. During your time in therapy, the therapist and orthopaedic surgeon will stay in continuous communication, modifying the program as needed and constantly monitoring your progress.

Therapy
At each appointment, you will receive physical or rehabilitative therapy. Early in the treatment process, the focus will be on relieving pain and stabilizing your knee. You will work to strengthen the knee and surrounding muscles, ligaments and tendons with a goal of restoring range of motion, flexibility and function. In between therapy sessions, you will likely be asked to follow a supplemental exercise program, either at home or at one of Riverside's fully equipped wellness and fitness centers. As your knee function and strength improves, you will receive new, more challenging exercises to ensure that progress continues.

Education
Part of your physical therapy treatment is educational. You will learn strategies for avoiding further injury, or in the case of arthritis, you will be given strategies for living with reduced mobility. Your therapist will also teach you exercises that help keep your supporting muscles strong.

Insurance
If your orthopaedic surgeon or a referring physician has prescribed physical therapy, most insurance companies will cover treatment at any of our Riverside physical therapy locations. Please call us before your initial visit and we will confirm your benefits for you as well as handle billing your insurance company once treatment has begun.