Pre/Post surgical Rehab
Scheduling Surgery?
Don’t forget the Pre-Surgical and Post-Surgical rehab!
If you will be scheduling a major orthopedic surgery in the near future, give serious thought to scheduling pre-operative Physical therapy and post- operative physical therapy rehab. Pre and post surgical rehabilitation is an important part of full recovery and healing after surgery. Research supports pre/post rehabilitation can help with circulation, preventing blood clots, posture, balance, self-care training, gait training, strength, flexibility, and pain control/management.
Common Surgeries that require Physical Therapy:
• Total Joint Replacements (Hip, Knee, Shoulder)
• Upper Extremity Surgery (Rotator Cuff, Labral Tears, Tommy John, Carpal Tunnel)
• Hip and Knee Orthopedic Surgery (ACL tear, Meniscus Tear, Patellofemoral, Hip Impingements)
• Ankle and Foot Surgery (Ligament Tears, Achilles Tendon, Fractures)
• Neck and Back Surgery (Herniated Discs, Scoliosis, Stenosis, Fractures)
PRE-SURGICAL REHABILITATION
Most of us are familiar with a comprehensive post-surgical rehabilitation program, designed to promote healing, reduce pain and swelling, restore joint mobility, flexibility and strength. However, there are a multitude of benefits of a structured pre-surgical program.
Pre-Surgical Rehabilitation is specially designed to meet the individual needs of the patient prior to surgery, to promote optimal outcomes post-surgery. The goals of this program is to:
• Mentally prepare for surgery
• Reduce pain and inflammation
• Restore range of motion
• Improving muscular control of the injured joint
• Normalize movement patterns prior to surgery
• Improve overall well-being and fitness
• Gain a good understanding of your surgery and the post-operative rehab timeline
• Practice and prepare for any post-operative precautions, changes in weight-bearing status, or assistive device training.
POST-SURGICAL REHABILITATION
Post-Surgical Rehabilitation follows an orthopedic operation, to speed the recovery and return to everyday functional activities. Physical therapy can start anywhere from a few hours to a few days after surgery and in some cases there may be a period of immobilization following surgery. Physical Therapists at TrueMotion will work with your orthopedic surgeons to ensure continuity in plan of care and timely evaluation of patients post-surgery.
A patient’s ability to regain motion and strength, and ultimately return to their daily activities depend on physical therapy. The body may not regain normal motion without specific retraining. Physical therapists are specifically trained to restore range of motion and strength without compensation and to prevent re-injury during the recovery process. Our Physical Therapists can also provide the patient with specific guidelines to allow optimal healing.
After a thorough evaluation by one of our Physical Therapists, goals will be set to minimize the adverse effects of surgery such as pain and swelling as well as to restore normal movement, flexibility and function. The therapist and patient will work together to establish functional goals related to resuming normal activities of living as well as preventing future injuries from occurring. At TrueMotion, our therapists will design an exercise program tailored specific to the patient’s needs and abilities, and work.
Surgical therapy is often divided into distinct phases. The first comes immediately after surgery when the body part may be immobilized while pain and swelling subside. Then comes a series of progressively challenging exercises to restore range of motion, stability, and strength. The final goal is to return the patient to a pre-injury activity level. Post-surgical treatments may specifically include:
• Strategies for pain reduction
• Flexibility exercises to improve range of motion
• Exercises to improve muscle strength
• Posture, balance, and coordination training
• gait analysis and training
• Manual therapy techniques
• Self-care training
• Customized home exercise program
If you are in anticipation of surgery, or are seeking rehabilitation post surgery, our therapists can offer rehabilitation programs that are tailored and designed for your surgery as well your own personal limitations and goals.