Why balance training after joint surgery matters

WRITTEN BY DR. RENEE MORAN, PT, DPT, CLINICAL DIRECTOR, FYZICAL THERAPY & BALANCE CENTERS TWIN CITY BANGOR

If you or someone you love has had a hip or knee replacement, you already know how life-changing it can be. These surgeries often reduce pain and give people the chance to walk, move, and enjoy life again. Here in Maine, that might mean strolling along the Bangor Waterfront, hiking in Acadia, or safely navigating snowy sidewalks in the winter.

Most people know that physical therapy is an important part of recovery after joint replacement. Therapists help rebuild strength and restore movement in the new joint. But what many don’t realize is just how important balance training is to the healing process.

Here’s why:

Research shows that falls are more common after hip and knee replacement surgery than in healthy adults. Up to 40% of people fall in the year after hip replacement, and up to 38% fall after knee replacement. Compare that to about 15-24% of older adults without surgery.

Falls after surgery can be serious. They may cause new fractures, damage to the replacement joint, or even require additional surgeries. That means more hospital time, slower recovery, and a harder road back to independence.

Why is balance such a challenge after surgery?

Before surgery, your brain and body have been adapting to the pain and movement limitations in your joint for a long time. After surgery, the new joint sends different signals to your brain—signals that feel “foreign” and confusing. Add in pain medication, weakness, and time spent in bed, and it’s no surprise that people often feel dizzy, unsteady, or “off balance” during recovery.

That’s where vestibular and balance therapy comes in. The vestibular system—your inner ear’s “balance center”—works together with your muscles, nerves, and vision to keep you steady. At FYZICAL, our therapists are specially trained to retrain this system and help your body adjust to the new joint.

We use advanced tools, like our Safety Overhead Support (SOS) system, which lets patients practice real-life movements in a secure environment without fear of falling. This builds confidence, speeds up recovery, and helps patients return to the activities they love—safely.

The bottom line: Strength and flexibility are important after surgery, but balance training is the key to preventing falls and making the most of your new joint. At FYZICAL, we combine both for a safer, more complete recovery.