After surgery, what advantages does physiotherapy have?
When you’re in pain after surgery, it can be difficult to go about your normal routine. It’s possible that you’ve recently recovered from a serious medical procedure, such as an arthroscopy of the shoulder, a knee replacement, open-heart surgery, or breast cancer treatment. You’ll get better with the help of some physical treatment.
Visiting a physiotherapist in Toronto can not only aid in a speedier recovery, but it will also provide you with tools to better manage post-operative symptoms and go back to living your life.
Physiotherapy is typically used to treat the following medical procedures:
- Spine and neurosurgery include procedures including spinal fusion, disc replacement, and brain surgery
- Urological surgery entails the removal of the urinary tract and the prostate.
- When it comes to bones, joints, and muscles, orthopaedic surgeons can fix you up by mending, reconstructing, and replacing as needed.
- Surgery of the chest and abdomen deals with the internal organs such the lungs, heart, liver, and intestines.
- Breast removals and reconstructions
- Postnatal, hysterectomy, and gynaecological repairs and reconstructions, along with additional obstetric and gynaecological surgical procedures
Physiotherapy’s Benefits After Surgery
Helps with edoema and soreness
Postoperative swelling is a normal part of the recovery process and its severity can vary greatly from patient to patient. Pain is caused by the release of chemicals that stimulate nerve endings and the subsequent compression of those nerves due to the swelling. Reducing swelling aids healing and boosts mobility, both of which reduce discomfort. Physical therapy activities, such as stretching and walking, can help lessen swelling and stop pain from returning after surgery.
Increased Portability
Surgery may temporarily limit your ability to move freely. Physical therapy can help if you’re experiencing problems moving about. Depending on the patient’s condition, physical therapists may recommend using assistive devices like canes or crutches to ensure the patient’s safety as they recover.
Aids in preventing the development of scar tissue
Scar tissue and a contracting of the soft tissues that occur after an injury or surgery are natural parts of the healing process. Scarring can happen anywhere on the body, and severe scarring can limit movement and functionality for a long time after therapy has ended. In order to help patients regain their normal range of motion, a physical therapist may employ massage or ultrasound therapy, both of which are examples of tissue mobilisation techniques.
Muscle Improvement
Regular visits to a physical therapist in your Calgary area can help alleviate muscle stiffness and pain. If you’ve lost muscle strength and stamina, your physical therapist may suggest a series of stretching routines to help you get back on track. The effectiveness of these workouts in treating your condition has been scientifically established.
Increases adaptability
Muscles atrophy and stiffen from lack of use, making them even more vulnerable to damage. Normal daily actions like reaching aloft, ascending stairs, and getting up from a seated posture can be adversely impacted by muscle tightness and joint rigidity. After surgery, one of the first things patients do is begin a programme of light stretching exercises meant to keep their tight, weak muscles loose.
Plan on engaging in therapeutic exercises for at least six to eight weeks, as this is the average time it takes for soft tissue to heal. Rehabilitation after surgery may involve inpatient care, outpatient care, or both. Your therapist may also assign you “homework,” or additional exercises to complete outside of session time.
Core Strengthening
Your core strength, which is mostly found in your lower back, is crucial to your overall physical health and mobility. This area’s muscle helps the body stay stable and avoid harm. Core strength is essential for general health and recovery, and physical therapy can help you achieve that.
Mobilization of the musculoskeletal system
Your physical therapist may use heat from short-wave diathermy (SDW), ultrasound-assisted massage, or topical heat applications to help loosen up your stiff joints. The value of recovery from joint replacement surgery cannot be overstated. Patients require retraining of the muscles, joints, and ligaments in order to learn how to walk independently.
Rehab centres are helpful for people who have recently been released from the hospital after having surgery and are experiencing post-operative complications such as pain, stiffness, impaired balance and coordination, muscle weakness, impaired mobility, impaired exercise tolerance, and diminished independence. Mental and physical side effects of surgery can hinder healing and heighten frustration and anxiety.
A professional physiotherapists will assess you thoroughly and work with you to set short- and long-term aims that will improve your recovery and lessen the likelihood of postoperative problems.