Post-Surgical Rehabilitation

After surgery, you may expect your lifestyle to be similar to before surgery—but without the pain. You are correct in many aspects. However, it takes time to get back to your routine. Being active in healing can help you get there sooner and ensure a more successful healing outcome. Most of your activities will be resumed, but you might wish to avoid activities that will put too much strain on your wounded area. Post-surgical rehabilitation can speed up your healing and enhance your quality of life.

At Motion Physical Therapy, we will work with you to create a customized post-surgical rehabilitation program that will help you become more robust and mobile and better manage your pain. We will get you back to doing your favorite things quickly!

Contact Motion Physical Therapy at (201) 331-8330 Today.

The Post-Surgical Rehabilitation Exercises and Techniques

Your body needs the right amount of recovery time after surgery. Exercises for post-surgical rehabilitation are helpful in this situation. These methods improve the range of motion and strengthen weak muscles. Here are the post-surgical rehabilitation exercises and techniques

Joint Mobilization Techniques

Joint mobilization therapies aim to improve joint function following surgery. By carefully manipulating the injured joints in particular ways, we can lessen discomfort and improve comfort during the healing process. When used by licensed physical therapists from Motion Physical Therapy, these methods help patients restore their strength more quickly than when rest is the only treatment. They are also essential in helping weaker muscles regain their strength and functionality.

Let’s move from joints to soft tissues, such as tendons or ligaments. Surgery like rotator cuff or Achilles tendon repairs may aid in healing these tissues without producing excessive scar tissue that could eventually impair movement.

Sports Medicine Methods or Rehab

Progressive exercise regimens, customized for each patient’s health and goals and starting mildly before escalating to more intense ones, are vital to the sports medicine approach to helping surgical patients recover. This method aids in the recovery of both non-athletes and athletes following surgery.

Focused Exercise Plans for Specific Surgeries

Whether recovering after a hip arthroscopy or a meniscus transplant, a well-planned exercise regimen is essential to postoperative rehabilitation. Specific sets of therapeutic exercises are for each type of operation, aiming to improve general physical functionality and strengthen the muscles surrounding the surgical site. Physical therapists are trained to create these strategies to ensure patients get the most out of their recuperation process.

Every strategy is unique, from joint mobilization following an accessory navicular surgery to knee replacement. When performed correctly and under medical supervision, these exercises can significantly shorten recovery and lower the risk of problems like pressure sores or chest infections after surgery.

Incorporating Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy is vital in daily life. It’s not only about the body’s healing hereafter; people also need help regaining their independence, managing daily tasks, and adjusting to new habits. Another component of the approach is assisting patients in regaining their independence, performing daily tasks, and adhering to new traditions following their recovery.

Electrical Stimulation

Electrical stimulation uses electrical impulses to elicit muscular contractions. This method aids in pain relief, circulation improvement, and muscular function restoration.

Ultrasound Therapy

Ultrasound therapy uses sound waves to help heal tissue, improve circulation, and reduce inflammation. This method is beneficial for people who swell after surgery.

Heat and Cold Therapy

In outpatient physical therapy, heat and cold therapy are frequently utilized to relieve pain, edema, and inflammation. While cold therapy is to alleviate edema, heat therapy enhances blood flow.

Post-surgical rehabilitation aims to use specific exercises to regain strength and mobility. Whether recovering from a rotator cuff repair or a knee replacement, joint mobilization, and tailored exercise, regimens can help you recover more quickly. When occupational therapy is included, the goal becomes more than just muscular recovery—returning to your everyday life.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Post-Surgical Rehabilitation?

Post-surgical rehabilitation is a customized recovery program. It uses physical therapy to restore strength and increase mobility after surgery.

What Are the Stages of Post-surgical Rehabilitation after Surgery?

The stages of post-surgical rehabilitation after surgery are:

Control pain and swelling
Improve range of motion and flexibility
Improve strength & begin Proprioception (sense of self-movement)/balance training.
Proprioception/balance training & sport-specific training.

What Are the Benefits of Post-Surgical Rehabilitation?

The benefits of post-surgery rehabilitation are numerous for the patient. It might expedite the patient’s recovery and reinforce the benefits of surgery. Here are some of the benefits of post-surgical rehabilitation.

Reduced pain and swelling
Decreased production of scar tissue
Improved blood flow (prevent blood clot formation)
Increased flexibility
Improved muscular function and less stiffness in the muscles
Enhanced equilibrium (avoid falls and mishaps)
Increased movement
Reduced time needed for recovery

Patients who actively engage in and are dedicated to rehabilitation heal more quickly and comfortably. The body may have physical consequences from certain surgeries, such as total joint replacement. Patients who undergo rehabilitation can restore the strength, mobility, and flexibility they lost during the procedure and the immobility that followed.

Will Physiotherapy After Surgery Help Decrease Pain?

Physiotherapy after surgery can decrease pain. Pain management is one of the critical objectives of post-surgical rehabilitation. By treating the pain with a physiotherapist, you can avoid or need prescription painkillers for a shorter period. Remember to see your doctor before starting or discontinuing any prescribed painkillers.

How Long After Surgery Do You Start Post-Surgical Rehabilitation?

Post-surgical rehabilitation often begins when your surgeon approves it, usually a few days or weeks after surgery.