Total Knee Replacement Rehab

The Missing (Neuroscience Calibration) Component

Total knee replacement rehabilitation shouldn’t just be about rebuilding muscle strength – it should focus on muscle control. The brain and subsequent neural pathways play a crucial role in recovering full function and coordination after injury or surgery but most therapeutic approaches focus predominantly on strength. NeuMo Tech is pioneering a new methodology that integrates cerebral training into the rehab journey.


Arthrogenic Muscle Inhibition (AMI): The Hidden Challenge

Why muscle control can feel out of reach

A common challenge after total knee replacement surgery is arthrogenic muscle inhibition. This is the body’s default natural protective mechanism that acts to protect the knee from further joint injury. If the sensory information from a joint doesn’t match the body’s internal model of proprioception within the within the nervous system, the default response is to ‘shut the system down’.

In the case of a total knee replacement AMI results in muscle atrophy and co-contraction of the hamstrings and quads. This acts to stiffen the joint and reduce range of motion as a protective mechanism. AMI significantly limits strength and muscle control, making it difficult to regain full mobility. Traditional physical therapy often overlooks this phenomenon, but addressing AMI is crucial to achieving optimal recovery. At the core of this dysfunction is central inhibition. Building muscle strength is difficult if there is an overriding central inhibition of cortical drive to activate the muscles surrounding the new joint replacement. Without targeted intervention, patients may struggle with lingering weakness, muscle wasting, feeling the knee is unstable, ongoing stiffness and poor functional outcomes long after surgery.


Retraining the Mind and Body for Lasting Results

Knee recovery, one brain at a time

Our program takes a holistic approach by integrating mind and body combining muscle retraining with cognitive rehabilitation to overcome AMI. Through a series of standardised and targeted neuromuscular exercises, the brain learns to re-engage with the knee and surrounding muscles, restoring control, range of motion and strength. This builds up an environment to encourage long term neuroplasticity.

NeuMo Tech’s patent-pending neuromodulation platform downregulates the body’s natural protective mechanism after injury or surgery, reducing the barrier of ongoing muscle inhibition by engaging the sensorimotor control centres and enhancing neuroplasticity to optimise physical function.

NeuMo Tech provides neuro-calibration of the neuromuscular operating system after injury or surgery

This comprehensive approach accelerates healing, reduces recovery times and enhances long-term functional mobility. By addressing both the cerebral and physical aspects of recovery, we empower patients to achieve better outcomes, faster.


A simple 5 minute routine three times a day

Neuromodulation is quick and painless

Our physio-led program involves a 5 minute session on the NeuMo Tech device several times a day. Exercises focus on quality of movement at very low levels of exertion. Patients often report feeling an immediate benefit, leading to increased compliance and more rapid recovery.


Look out for the warning signs


Total Knee Replacement isn’t smooth sailing for all

It is widely accepted that 1 in 5 patients are dissatisfied with their new knee. Pain, swelling and inhibition can limit rehab progress. Patients who fail to quickly recover often have long-lasting issues. A persistent limp can become patterned onto the brain as the ‘new normal’. Even if muscular strength was to return, the limp can persist. It is critical to get on top of neuromuscular control issues early before dysfunction becomes patterned as the new normal.


Surgeons and patients alike need to be aware of the warning signs and act quickly to break the cycle before AMI-induced dysfunction becomes a long term issue.


Research

Where the research is going

At NeuMo Tech, we partner with Universities to do research into neuromodulation for knee conditions such as Total Knee Replacement (TKR) and Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) repairs.

I’ve been reflecting on the changes that we saw in patients pre- and post-neuromodulation training, for both ACL repairs and total knee replacements. We don’t expect those sorts of changes to occur in a single session of an intervention. In my experience as a rehabilitation engineer at the University, I’ve not seen such a significant response from a single rehab session.” – Dr. David Hobbs (Senior Lecturer, Biomedical Engineering, Flinders University)


Contact us

Ready to start your recovery journey?

Our team is here to guide you every step of the way. Get in touch to learn more about our specialised, physio-guided rehab methodology. Find out how we can help you regain control, confidence and function to get back to the things you want to do.

Email: info@NeuMoTech.com.au