2 days ago
Enhancing Joint Recovery Through Nutrition, Physical Therapy, and Physical Rehabilitation with Dr. Jason Snibbe
Joint recovery is not just about waiting for wounds to heal—it's about actively supporting your body's return to strength and mobility. Focusing on joint recovery can lead to significant improvement in daily life and overall well-being, as the goal is to achieve better mobility and quality of life after surgery. According to orthopedic surgeon Dr. Jason Snibbe, optimizing recovery starts before the surgery even begins—with the right fuel for your body.
'Surgery puts your body under a lot of stress,' explains Dr. Snibbe. 'We've learned that proper nutrition speeds up healing, preserves muscle mass, and even reduces infection risk.' It's no surprise, then, that nutritional support is one of the first areas he addresses with his patients.
Here are some of the nutrients he consistently recommends:
A balanced diet is essential for recovery, and it's important to remember that supplements are not regulated as food and should not be mistaken for a substitute for real food.
Maintaining joint health is crucial after surgery. Supplements like fish oil and curcumin extract may help support joint health and relieve symptoms of osteoarthritis by reducing inflammation and joint pain. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting new supplements.
And here's a tip you may not expect: 'Even carbo-loading before surgery can help—just like before a marathon,' Dr. Snibbe adds. 'You're giving your body energy reserves so it doesn't start from empty after anesthesia.'
A proper diet plays a key role in supporting joint health, bone strength, and overall recovery after surgery.
While nutrition fuels recovery internally, movement helps rebuild strength externally. And in Dr. Snibbe's view, this starts early—very early.
'Walking several times a day—starting the day of surgery—is one of the best things you can do,' he emphasizes. Early ambulation helps reduce swelling, lowers the risk of blood clots, and gently begins restoring range of motion.
Physical therapy and exercise are essential for reducing stiffness and restoring joint function after surgery or injury.
But walking is just the beginning. A structured physical therapy program ensures a safe and progressive recovery. Physical therapists customize exercises to restore strength, balance, coordination, and joint mobility—while also minimizing reinjury. A physical therapist will design specific exercise plans for joints like the shoulder, knees, and hips to optimize recovery and function.
A good rehab program will typically include:
These techniques aren't just about movement—they're about regaining independence and confidence.
Pain can become a barrier to movement, which in turn slows recovery. That's why Dr. Snibbe advocates for multimodal pain management—starting with non-opioid strategies. Effective pain management strategies are designed to relieve pain and prevent the development of chronic pain.
'I often recommend over-the-counter NSAIDs or acetaminophen, combined with topical creams,' he says. These include anti-inflammatory gels or lidocaine-based ointments that target pain locally, providing pain relieving effects and helping to relieve joint pain without systemic side effects.
One of the high-tech tools in his recovery toolkit is the GEKO device—a small wearable that stimulates the lower leg muscles to boost circulation and prevent swelling. 'Swelling slows everything down. Controlling it means faster motion, less pain, and a quicker return to function,' Dr. Snibbe notes.
Other home-friendly options like heating pads can help relax tense muscles and soothe aching joints during the early days of recovery.
In certain cases, Dr. Snibbe uses regenerative medicine techniques to accelerate healing—especially for joint and tendon injuries. Advanced therapies such as PRP and BMAC may be used alongside or after joint replacement surgery, total joint replacement, or other surgical procedures to support the recovery process.
These treatments can help patients with arthritis, joint inflammation, or a damaged joint, and may be especially important for weight bearing joints like the hip or knee. It is important to be aware of potential complications following a surgical procedure, such as infection or joint inflammation, and to consult a doctor about treatment options and possible interactions with other medications.
Two therapies he frequently employs are:
These advanced therapies are part of a growing field of orthobiologics, offering nonsurgical options for patients looking to recover faster and stronger from soft tissue injuries [1]. The goal of joint replacement surgery is to restore function as close to the natural joint as possible, with artificial joints designed to mimic the movement and stability of the original.
For example, total knee replacement surgery is a procedure that may benefit from advanced recovery therapies to optimize outcomes. Successful recovery can allow patients to return to activities like martial arts and other high-impact sports.
During the recovery process, it is important to monitor for complications such as joint inflammation or issues related to inflammatory arthritis to ensure the best possible results. When combined with traditional rehab and proper nutrition, these treatments offer a well-rounded, patient-first approach to recovery.
To explore Dr. Jason Snibbe's approach to orthopedic surgery, innovative techniques, and patient-centered care, visit or follow him on Instagram @drjasonsnibbe for expert insights and updates.
[1] Kovacevic, D., Suriani, R. J., Jr, Levine, W. N., & Thomopoulos, S. (2022). Augmentation of Rotator Cuff Healing With Orthobiologics. The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 30(5), e508–e516.
