Post-operative Physiotherapy
What is Post-operative Physiotherapy?
After many surgical procedures, patients experience pain, stiff joints, muscle weakness, difficulty in breathing, especially in Orthopaedic, Cardiac, Neurological, abdominal surgery and post-cancer resection.
Pre and post operative physiotherapy uses pain relieving methodologies, exercises, re-education of muscle and movement, improve weight bearing of bones, use of mobility aids e.g. walker, crutch, assistive aids etc. This speeds up healing and also helps the patient to learn the best way to take care of himself/herself so as to return to daily independent indoor and outdoor activities return to education and vocation thus boosting confidence and empowerment.
In what ways does post-operative physiotherapy benefit?
Post operative Physiotherapy speeds up the healing process, and expedites the process of taking care of oneself, return to daily functions, outdoor activities, education and vocation.
Post operative physiotherapy
- Reduces pain
- Reduces swelling
- Reduces the risk of infection
- Reduces deformities
- Reduces breathing problems
- Reduces joint stiffness
- Reduces blood clots
- Reduces scar tissue formation
- Reduces posture changes.
- Speeds up healing
- Normalise joint and muscle function
- Improves weight bearing on bones for normal walking
- Improves neuromuscular coordination and balance
- Return back to independent indoor and outdoor activities.
- Boosts confidence
- Improves Quality of life.
Physiotherapy aids to normalise joint and muscle function through various exercise programs, re-education of muscle and movement, improve weight bearing of bones for normal walking for various terrains to return back to independent indoor and outdoor activities, function, vocation thus aiding confidence building and empowerment.
Common conditions encountered for post-operative physiotherapy:
- Hip Replacement
- Knee Replacement
- Shoulder Replacement
- Rotator Cuff Surgery
- Spinal Fusion
- Spinal Decompression & Discectomy
- Foot and Ankle Surgery
- Amputations
- Abdominal Surgery
- Post Cancer Resection
- Cardiac Surgery
… and many more conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How does a Physiotherapist plan a treatment?
A Physiotherapist’s approach to treatment is to treat a ‘person’ rather than “just a body part”.
A Physiotherapist will assess you and make a need-based personalised treatment plan depending on your medical diagnosis, health condition, body mechanics , your existing functions, activities and functional needs at home, workplace and outdoors. The treatment plan includes scientific and evidence-based techniques and a home exercise program which will be customised as per your unique situation, needs and goals.
Is a Doctor's prescription needed prior to Physiotherapy?
Very often Doctors refer the patients for Physiotherapy. Prescription is necessary, especially for post Stroke, Myocardial infarctions, inflammatory disorder, infections, post operative cases, fractures etc. to ensure that the patient is medically stable and can be mobilised.
In case the patient consults a Physiotherapist directly, the Physiotherapist will do a thorough physical examination, diagnosis and guide the patient, and refer to the appropriate medical speciality as necessary. A Physiotherapist is part of the Medical team. They work closely with the Doctors.
Ensure to carry your prior investigations, medical records, discharge summary etc. with you for your consultation.
What is the duration of each session?
This will depend on the type of your health condition. Some may take as less as 15 minutes to some up to 45 min and sometimes even longer for patients with multiple issues.
How many sessions/days of Physiotherapy will I need to take?
This will depend on your health condition. A simple sprain of muscle spasm may be treated in 1-2 sessions whereas conditions like post fractures/ surgery, Stroke, spinal cord injury, respiratory cases may require many more sessions. Your Physiotherapist will be able to guide you.
However, please remember that there will be certain exercises, change of work style habits, Do’s and Dont’s that your Physiotherapist will advise you which you have to carry out routinely for prevention and recurrence of symptoms.