The Benefits of Pre- and Post-Operative Physiotherapy
Adam was 41 when he injured his knee and had an ACL repair surgery to resolve the injury completely. He knew he would have to undergo physiotherapy after the procedure, but he was surprised when his surgeon suggested physiotherapy beforehand, too. It turns out that pre- and post-operative physiotherapy can work together to provide optimal results.
Adam began working with a physiotherapist several weeks before his scheduled procedure. While his injury was severe enough that surgery was the only option from the beginning, his “prehab” helped him manage pain and work on his knee’s range of motion, giving him a headstart on his post-surgical rehab. It was also a chance for him to get used to crutches under a professional’s guidance.
His surgery went off without a hitch–partly due to Adam’s strong cardiorespiratory fitness levels, which he could maintain even with his injury thanks to help from his therapist. He was then able to begin his post-surgical rehab at the same clinic, maximizing his recovery time with targeted exercises and simple activity modifications.
At PhysioChiroWellness, our team understands the benefits of both pre- and post-operative physiotherapy. As Adam discovered, combining rehab with prehab gives you a leg up in your recovery–helping to ensure a lasting, successful outcome.
To learn more about how our physiotherapists can help you have a successful surgical procedure, schedule an appointment at our PhysioChiroWellness clinic today!
What Surgeries Benefit from Pre- and Post-Operative Physiotherapy?
Our physiotherapists primarily work with patients undergoing orthopedic surgeries–procedures that address impairments in your body’s musculoskeletal system. Here are a few of the common surgeries that benefit from pre- and post-operative physiotherapy:
- Total joint replacement: This procedure involves replacing damaged bone or cartilage with a metal, plastic, or ceramic prosthesis. Hip and knee replacements are among the most common.
- Ligament repair: Your ligaments connect your muscles to your bone. If one of your ligaments tears completely, you’ll usually require surgery to repair the damage. Common ligament injuries include a rotator cuff tear (in the shoulder) or an ACL tear (in the knee).
- Discectomy: This procedure addresses a severe herniated disc in which one of the cushiony discs between the vertebrae bulges or ruptures.
- Carpal tunnel release: Although carpal tunnel release is a minor surgery compared to others, it still requires a fairly long rehabilitation. It addresses carpal tunnel syndrome, where the median nerve in the wrist and hand becomes compressed.
The Benefits of Pre-Operative Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is a frontline approach for many common musculoskeletal conditions, from osteoarthritis to rotator cuff injuries. Most people only undergo surgery when their body doesn’t respond to physiotherapy treatments.
However, this fact illustrates why pre-operative physiotherapy is so beneficial. Surgery puts a lot of strain on your systems, and the more you can prepare for it beforehand, the more you prepare your body for the shock of the procedure. The techniques that help manage less severe conditions will pay the way for a smooth operation.
Here are just a few of the benefits of pre-surgical physiotherapy:
- Pain management: Most people opt for surgery because their pain levels are so intense. We’ll help manage your pain through gentle exercises, manual therapy, and other techniques.
- Improved fitness: One thing you can do to reduce the risks of surgery is improve your cardiorespiratory fitness. We’ll find exercises you can perform safely, even with pain or injury.
- Mental preparation: Our physiotherapists will help you understand what to expect during and after your surgery. We’ll show you how to use any mobility aids beforehand and answer any questions, helping to give you peace of mind.
- Get a head start on rehabilitation: Prehab is also a chance to learn the stretches and movements you’ll perform during post-surgical rehabilitation. That way, you can dive right in and get a head start on your recovery.
The Benefits of Post-Operative Physiotherapy
Most orthopedic surgeries require lengthy rehabilitation times. For example, Adam took about eight months to fully rehabilitate after his ACL repair. Other surgeries might take even longer: total hip or knee replacements often require a full year of rehabilitation!
However, it’s important to note that rehabilitation is not the same as healing. Post-surgical recovery happens in stages, and the bulk of your rehab will take place in the first 2-3 months after your procedure, during which you’ll focus on restoring mobility and strengthening the joint. After the three-month mark, you’ll focus on getting the joint back up to full strength and functionality.
Our therapists will develop a customized rehab plan that addresses your unique needs and recovery goals. Here are a few examples of elements we might incorporate:
- Pain management: As with prehab, rehab often incorporates pain management techniques, especially in the early stages. Manual therapy, especially joint mobilization, is particularly effective, as it helps you get moving early on–which is the key to successful outcomes.
- Range of motion and mobility exercises: It’s important that you move the affected joint as soon as possible to minimize the development of scar tissue, which can cause mobility problems down the line. We’ll show you specific exercises that suit your needs.
- Strength training: The muscles around your affected joint will be weakened by both surgery and the condition that necessitated it; we’ll help you restore your strength with a progressive strengthening program.
- Specialized training: Depending on your needs, we can help you improve your balance, gait, and overall function, including day-to-day activities like using stairs or work-specific tasks. For athletes, we can incorporate sport-specific exercises, too.
- Return-to-activity schedules: Finally, we can let you know when you can safely return to your favorite activities–and provide modifications as needed.
We Can Help With Both Pre- and Post-Operative Physiotherapy!
The physiotherapists at PhysioChiroWellness are here for you both before and after your surgery. We would be honored to serve as part of your surgical care team, helping to relieve your worries beforehand and paving the way for greeting strength and function afterward.
If you live in and know you’ll be undergoing orthopedic surgery sometime soon, request an appointment to learn more about our services.