Undergoing orthopedic surgery can be a life-changing experience. You may be able to benefit in ways that you can only imagine now. From dramatically decreased pain to improved function and range of motion, orthopedic surgery can help you get back to the lifestyle you may have thought was gone forever. But really, the surgery itself is only half the battle. In order to heal properly, you may need to continue rehabilitation after your orthopedic surgery, because healing is very much a gradual process.
Spinal surgery, joint replacement, rotator or meniscal tear repairs all respond better with a series of post-operative rehabilitation program. Rehabilitation is also a prime factor in how well you will heal and how much benefit you will eventually gain from the surgery. The importance of rehabilitation after an orthopedic surgery is almost impossible to overstate. Simply put: a program of stretching, conditioning and strengthening can help to dramatically boost positive outcomes. When it comes to your healing, a team approach simply works better. To put it simply, rehabilitation is a necessary part of the recovery process after orthopedic surgery.
Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Can Reduce Pain
Besides regaining lost function and promoting faster healing, rehabilitative exercises can reduce pain levels over time. Registered physical therapists are often a combination of coach, healer and medial educator. They have completed years of advanced training and know many ways to help you heal more effectively. They will also show you ways to minimize your pain in the process. From ice packs to special equipment, physical therapists know all the tricks to lowering pain and increasing function.
Physical therapists also know how to focus on muscles in the area of the incisions as well as muscles that may have deteriorated due to chronic conditions or injury. They can work to help develop stability in the joints and around the spinal vertebra in order to prevent re-injury. Physical therapists can provide special devices such as TENS units to stimulate muscles and improve tone.
They will teach you specific exercises and certain types of movements designed to condition your body and alleviate any post-surgery pain and stiffness. They will also provide hands on help to patients, as well as answering important health questions.
Good rehabilitative services compliment the excellent work the surgeon performs. From specialized equipment, custom designed rehabilitative exercise programs, to finding workable alternatives for patients who simply cannot perform certain movements – good rehabilitation compliments and enhances the healing process. Successful outcomes don’t just happen on their own. They are much more likely when a well performed surgery is coupled with exceptional support and rehabilitation.
