Millions of people are referred to physical therapy each year for the treatment of a range of post surgical orthopedic conditions. Physical therapists are experts in improving range of motion and strength without compensation and to prevent re-injury during the recovery process. However, many patients are unsure what physical therapy can do for them or why it is important to attend physical therapy sessions after surgery.
Physical therapy is typically indicated following an orthopedic surgery such as operations on the hip, knee, shoulder, wrist, hand, neck, foot, ankle, and spine to facilitate a speedy recovery. 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. The body will not regain normal motion without specific retraining.
Post surgery physical therapy 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.
How Rehab Helps You Recover
Promotion of healing
Helps with circulation after surgery, preventing blood clots
Reduce pain and scar tissue
Retrain and strengthen muscles
Improve mobility and flexibility
Prevent new medical problems from forming
Speed overall recovery
Prepare your body for regular exercise
Help you walk again -- Gait analysis and training
Posture, balance, and coordination training
Ease you back into daily physical tasks
Home exercise instruction
SinoUnited Health, Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Center`s post surgical treatment program divides into 4 stages.
PAIN MODULATION & INFLAMMATION CONTROL
Physical Therapists are trained to help manage pain from injury and surgery. Controlling your pain is an important first step in promoting a healthy and healing environment for you to recover following surgery. Some pain is common and expected following a surgery and will be a part of the recovery process. An integral part of a rehabilitation program is to manage the inflammation and pain to progress the patient from the Stage 1 to Stage 2 as quickly and as safely as possible.
PROMOTION OF ACTIVE MOVEMENT
Early active/passive movement after surgery contributes to good circulation and promotes rapid healing of incisions, maintains muscle and helps to allow for proper remodeling, tissue repair, and regeneration. There is a strong evidence to support moderate stress to tissue is essential for connective tissue nutrition and repair. Moderate active movement has been shown to benefit assisting tissue recovery following injury, surgery, and immobilization.
ENHANCEMENT OF NEUROMUSCULAR PERFORMANCE: EXERCISE
Exercise is critical to getting better after surgery. It is the key to getting patients back to activity safely, eliminating fatigue, promoting proper movement strategies through neuromuscular recruitment, enhancing strength, and avoiding re-injury. Ultimately, exercise is critical both in helping the body heal from the original injury and in preventing future insults and injury to the surgical area or adjacent anatomy.
PATIENT EDUCATION & BIOMECHANICAL COUNSELING
Patient Education is critical for the patient to understand their surgery and road to full recovery. Therapists can explain exactly what changes have occurred as a result of the patient's specific surgery, and what can be done to maximize the benefits from your surgery.Biomechanical counseling will be a major part of the post-surgical rehabilitation. Efficient and proper movement patterns and motions are necessary to minimize stress to joints and the surgically repaired tissue.
Research has shown that patients who actively participate in their own recovery process typically have better results and recovery experiences than those who don’t.
Physical therapy after surgery can put one on a faster track to recovery. Why let recovery take longer? Take advantage of physical therapy services if you’ve had surgery.
Introduction
Ozgur Surenkok
Doctor of Physical Therapist
Ozgur is a registered Physiotherapist with over 20 years of clinical experience having graduated with a PhD degree in Sports Physical Therapy from the University of Hacettepe. He has taken extensive post graduate courses, Orthopedic Manual Therapy (OMT) through the Orthopaedic division of the Russian Physiotherapy Association and Integrative Dry Needling (IDN) American Dry Needling Institute. He is using many other techniques to treat pain and injuries as well, such as Kinesio Taping (KT), Cyriax manual therapy, Prescription of Correctional Exercises.
For more information: www.sinounitedhealth.com.cn
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