Surgery is sometimes needed to improve your health, or save your life, while it is incredibly important and always in your best interest, it can be stressful. This stress manifests both emotionally and physically, and any way that you can prepare yourself for your recovery is going to be beneficial.
Research shows that appropriate physiotherapy before and after your surgery can help speed up the healing process. It’s mostly going to be useful after orthopaedic surgery, such as knee and hip surgeries where your joints and muscles may feel sore and weak after the procedure is over. A physio in Lilydale will be able to prepare you for surgery, and give advice on how to hasten your recovery, so if you are wondering how our team at Freedom Sports Medicine can help, have a read on to learn what physiotherapy can do for your recovery.
How will I know if I need physiotherapy after surgery?
Your doctor should advise on what steps you will need to take for your recovery before you go into surgery, and then these points should be reiterated after the procedure is completed. You should also be provided with information when you are going home on the things that you need to look out for and seek help for if they occur.
You may find when you first go home after your operation that it is more painful than when you are in the hospital. This often occurs because you are doing more for yourself than when you were in the hospital. If you notice any pain that wasn’t initially advised by your doctor, contact them to ensure that everything is normal and ask if you need to take any further action.
If there is unexpected stiffness or pain in movement, the doctor may need to assess you and then recommend physiotherapy in addition to your other recovery methods. More serious injuries may also require rehabilitation.
How can physiotherapy help me pre and post surgery?
Your physiotherapist is well placed to provide advice and education about the procedure, they will be able to inform you of what kind of pain you might experience post surgery and help to strengthen your body. As the stronger your body is before you go in for the operation, the easier it will be for you to recover. Here are some of the ways that your physio in Lilydale will help.
Cardiovascular exercises: includes activities such as walking, jogging or water exercises. Cardiovascular exercises help you keep active and stay fit.
Strengthening exercises: These exercises are designed to provide support to your joints and bones, they will help prepare you for surgery, and to help you regain your strength after surgery.
Range of motion exercises: These exercises help improve joint movement and function. They assist you with using the full range of motion in your joints to improve balance and strength while also keeping them flexible and reducing pain.
Stretching exercises: In order to obtain improved flexibility and joint range, it’s important to practice regular stretching. Your physiotherapist will also provide complimentary treatments just as heat, ice, massage, braces and walking aids in order to prevent unnecessary pain during recovering.
How effective is physiotherapy for my recovery pre- and post-surgery?
Your orthopaedic surgeon will likely recommend physiotherapy to assist with your recovery after surgery. This is because it in equal parts assists regaining full range of movement and helps to reduce pain. It also strengthens muscles and joints, preventing the possibility of further injury while your body is still weak.
What can I do at home pre- and post-surgery?
Depending on what surgery you need, there will be different restrictions on what kind of activities you are able to perform. Always consult with your doctor and your physiotherapist to determine what movements you should be performing at home. In general it’s important to carry out frequent and gentle movements to ensure that your body does not develop any weaknesses. Your physiotherapist can also create a home training plan for you to advise what kind of movements you should be doing while at home to assist with your recovery.
How long until I’ll feel fully recovered after surgery?
Every person’s recovery process is going to be different and the duration of your recovery will depend upon the type of surgery you have had, how fit and well you were before the surgery and how long you were with the injury before treatment. The stronger you body was before going in for your procedure, the faster your recovery is likely to be and being sure to keep your body moving after surgery can also encourage recovery. As a general rule, you will have a rapid recovery in the first three to six months. After that, if you continue to work on your rehabilitation, you will continue to improve for one to two years.
Conclusion
So if you are going into surgery and want to make sure you will be ready to proceed with your recovery, stop looking for a ‘physio near me’ and get in contact with the friendly team at Freedom Sports Medicine to ensure that you will be prepared for your procedure.
