The Sun Journal article about hip and knee replacements, published Aug. 28, offered much useful and relevant information regarding the benefits of joint replacement surgeries, as well as their prevalence. The article also alluded to the journey that the joint replacement patient must follow, including work in physical therapy to regain the greatest possible movement and function.

Indeed, participating in a rehabilitation program is crucial for many people after undergoing those surgeries, including inpatient and outpatient programs.

I wanted to highlight another form of therapy that was not mentioned in the article but which is just as important as PT in helping someone reach their fullest potential and greatest level of independence after these surgeries: occupational therapy.

The “occupation” in OT refers to those things that occupy people’s time and give lives meaning. For many, after a joint replacement surgery, that includes finding new ways to perform daily tasks, such as getting dressed, taking a shower, or dancing to a favorite song.

When a person has had a joint replaced, there are often various rules to follow to allow for safe healing and management of pain. OT, in partnership with PT, informs the patient of how to go about doing what needs to be done in a manner that is safe, does not exacerbate pain, and allows for the greatest potential of a return to “normal,” even if that normal is new.

Lorraine Brocker, OTR/L, Lewiston