Most Common Orthopedic Surgeries

Orthopedic surgery isn’t exactly anyone’s idea of a good time, but sometimes it’s the only way to get back to moving like yourself again. Whether it’s a new knee, a repaired ACL, or a post-op shoulder that refuses to cooperate, the recovery process can be grueling. That’s where having the right rehab gear matters—and we’ve got a few essentials worth knowing.

Total Knee Replacement

Whether it’s from years of arthritis, an old injury that never healed right, or just plain wear and tear, total knee replacement is often the last option when nothing else is cutting it. It’s a major surgery—and recovery isn’t a walk in the park (yet).

The biggest hurdles patients face after surgery include swelling that won’t quit, a stiff joint that refuses to bend, and the uphill battle of getting your full range of motion back. The faster you get moving (safely), the better your long-term outcome. But your knee won’t do that on its own—you’ll need to help it along.

Here’s what the medcom group recommends to make your knee recovery less painful and frustrating:

• Continuous Passive Motion (CPM) Machines
  These devices gently move your knee without any effort on your part. Early mobility helps prevent scar tissue buildup and keeps the joint from locking up.
  
  
• Cold Therapy Machines
  Ditch the leaky ice packs. These machines deliver consistent cold directly to your knee, which means less swelling, less pain, and fewer pain meds. You’ll feel the difference after your first session.

Total Hip Replacement

Hip replacements are common, especially if osteoarthritis or a nasty fracture has made walking feel like a contact sport. Most people who go through it just want one thing: to move without wincing. But post-op recovery takes more than crossing your fingers and waiting it out.

Just like knee replacement, the name of the game after hip surgery is to keep moving, keep pain in check, and make sure your blood keeps flowing like it should. Blood clots—especially deep vein thrombosis (DVT)—are a real risk, so prevention isn’t optional. Here’s what we recommend from the medcom group lineup:

• Cold Therapy Machines
  Once again, cold therapy machines are a must to keep swelling down and manage pain.
  
  
• Sequential Compression Devices (SCDs)
  These machines gently squeeze your legs to keep blood moving and reduce your risk of clots. They’re especially helpful when you’re not moving around much in the early days of recovery.
  
  
• Hip Bracing
  No, they don’t look glamorous, but they do help keep your new joint in the right spot while you get back into more normal movement. 

ACL Reconstruction

Unfortunately, ACL tears are a common injury in sports—and they come not just with wrenching pain at the outset, with surgery and a long rehab to-do list. Recovery is about resting and rebuilding your strength, flexibility, and confidence in that knee. Initial recovery requires staying on top of pain and keeping things moving—gently. The wrong move too soon can set you back, so the right gear makes all the difference.

Here’s what helps:

• CPM Machines
  Depending on your doctor’s evaluation, these can be a critical part of consistent movement to prevent the buildup of scar tissue.
  
  
• Cold Therapy Systems
  Be sure to check out cold therapy wraps specifically designed for knees.
  
  
• Knee Braces
  When you’re finally cleared to move around, a solid brace gives your knee the support it needs. It helps you avoid the dreaded wobble and lets you focus on walking like a human again. It can even help you ease back into sports! 

Spine Surgery

Spine surgery isn’t something you bounce back from overnight. Whether it’s a lumbar fusion, discectomy, or laminectomy, recovery takes time, patience, and a whole lot of not doing the things you’re used to doing. Most folks deal with soreness, stiffness, and that fun little challenge of figuring out how to sit, stand, or sleep without aggravating everything. The first phase of recovery includes managing inflammation, maintaining healthy blood flow, and protecting the spine while it heals. Here’s what can help:

• Cold and Heat Therapy Machines
  Cold therapy is as essential as always to manage pain and swelling. Depending on the length of your recovery and the advice provided by your doctor, heat therapy can also help to decrease overall stiffness.
  
  
• Sequential Compression Devices (SCDs)
  Spinal surgery often corresponds with long periods of immobility during recovery, and long stretches of rest can increase the risk of blood clots, especially in the legs. SCDs gently squeeze the calves to keep circulation moving and help reduce that risk, all while your back can continue to heal in bed.
  
  
• Spine and Neck Braces
  These aren’t just for posture—they limit unnecessary movement and help support your spine while everything knits itself back together.

Post-Op Recovery with the Medcom Group

Orthopedic surgery is no walk in the park, but having the right tools on hand can make recovery feel a lot less like a full-time job. At the medcom group, we’re here to make sure you have access to the gear that actually helps—nothing extra, nothing confusing, just what works. Give us a call or check out our recovery equipment online. Your future self will thank you!