Do you have surgery scheduled for the near future? If you do, you’re probably feeling many different emotions as you gear yourself up for your operation. You may be worried about recovery, or about the success of your surgery as a whole. How are you going to feel afterward? How much time are you going to have to take off work? These are all very valid and very common questions people have upon finding out their condition requires a surgical fix!
Did you know that physical therapy can help ease your mind about your operation? Pre and post-surgical rehab is often recommended for those having orthopedic surgery? These types of surgeries could include foot, ankle, knee, hip, wrist, hand, shoulder, neck, and spine surgeries. Physical therapy can, however, be beneficial for just about any type of surgical procedure, as it can improve the outcome and speed up healing time.
A physical therapist can put together both a pre and post-surgical rehabilitation plan for an individual preparing for surgery. Contact IMG Physical Therapy today if you have surgery on the books and you’d like to know more about how rehabilitation can help you before and after!
What are the benefits of pre-surgical physical therapy?
Physical therapy isn’t only useful in the recovery stages following surgery. The following are several important benefits of having pre and post-surgical rehab.
Undergoing therapy before an operation is often referred to as“pre-hab,” and it helps an individual prepare physically and mentally for a surgical procedure.
Here are some of the best reasons to undergo rehabilitation before your operation date.
- You’ll be at a lower risk for surgical complications. The weaker and frailer someone’s body is, the more likely it is that the person will experience complications such as infection after a surgical procedure. Prehab can increase strength and immunity before surgery.
- You’ll recover faster. Learning the exercises you’ll need to do before surgery trains your muscles in advance. This will make post-surgical rehab easier and more effective. PT in Motion News states that even a few sessions of physical therapy before surgery can reduce post-operative care for some patients.
- Your anxiety levels will decrease. Starting a process of physical activity that improves strength, endurance, and flexibility can improve overall confidence that the procedure will be successful. Patients that have undergone some sort of prehab are often less prone to anxiety or stress before the surgery.
What are the benefits of physical therapy after surgery?
According to PT in Motion News, patients that received the same day, post-operative physical therapy needed fewer opioids after knee surgery. Most likely, the recommendation of physical therapy for surgical recovery will not come as any surprise to you. Your body undergoes trauma during surgery and physical therapy is excellent for helping you to regain your strength and mobility back. It’s important to start a post-surgical rehabilitation plan as soon as your doctor states that you’re ready. The following are a few of the benefits of post-surgical rehab.
- You’ll experience less pain and swelling. The right type of post-surgical treatment can help reduce the amount of pain and swelling you experience after your surgery. Icing and ultrasound are both techniques a physical therapist may use to reduce localized swelling and pain.
- Your circulation will improve. Many types of basic exercises and simple movements prescribed by a physical therapist can promote increased blood circulation. Improved circulation not only facilitates faster healing but reduces the chance of a blood clot forming. Something as simple as massage can improve circulation.
- You’ll get your strength back faster. The quicker you regain strength and stamina, the more quickly you’ll get back to your daily routine. This means less time spent away from work or sports. A physical therapy program can be designed to target the specific areas in your body that need strengthening after surgery.
What to expect from physical therapy
Physical therapists are skilled in areas of movement and flexibility. A trained physical therapist can advise you regarding the best prehab and post-surgical plan for your specific needs.
As soon as you know when your surgery is scheduled you’ll want to make an appointment with a physical therapist. A therapist will likely do a complete physical assessment before creating a unique prehab and rehab program. They will also work with your surgeon or physician to make sure your treatment plan is in line with your procedure.
Physical therapy treatment can help you achieve as much strength, stamina, flexibility, and improved range of motion as possible both before and after your surgery. A physical therapist may use a variety of manual therapies or teach you exercises you can do at home. A therapist might also use heat, ice, or electrical stimulation. You’ll want to get started as soon as possible to make sure you’re prepared for surgery and can make a quick and full recovery.
In some cases, individuals have even found that they were able to avoid or cancel surgery altogether thanks to physical therapy. Don’t expect this to always happen, but know that it is a possibility!
Call our clinic today
The choice is yours. If you’d rather improve your surgical outcome and cut down on your recovery time, our clinic is just a call away! Contact IMG Physical Therapy today to set up an appointment with one of our skilled therapists, and see the benefits of pre-and post-surgical rehabilitation.
