Many people, not all, will undergo some surgery in their lives. McPherson physical therapy practices can help ensure any surgical experiences have limited complications and provide patients the best chance of success.
Patients scheduled for future surgery should consider signing up for pre and post-surgical physical therapy. Talk to your physician before looking into PT. In most cases, doctors recommend PT to limit the risks and improve the success of the surgery. Discover how PT can affect surgical outcomes.
Improves the Operation’s Success
Pre-surgical physical therapy or pre-habilitation is meant to help prepare the body for the surgical and recovery process ahead. Surgery can have unexpected consequences for muscles and connective tissues. With pre-hab, patients can prepare the muscle groups and areas of their bodies likely affected by surgery to make recovery somewhat easier.
A patient undergoing hip replacement surgery may seek out pre-hab through a physical therapy network KS to help them prepare for the following weeks of grueling recovery. Therapists may focus on building the muscles in the soon-to-be dominant hip as well as focus on the core, back, and leg muscles.
The specific PT regimen depends on the surgery and expected surgical outcomes. Every patient is unique, so therapists require an initial meeting, exam, and discussion about the surgery. Planning helps ensure the operation is a success, and it helps lay the groundwork for the post-surgical rehab to come.
Ensures Desired Results Are Met
Every surgery proposes a desired outcome, including complete recovery from a sports-related injury. However, surgery is only part of the process. To achieve the desired result, patients must commit to post-surgical physical therapy near me.
Post-surgical therapy focuses on re-establishing healthy mobility, balance, flexibility, and strength at the surgical site. In some cases, physical therapy occurs in a controlled environment to ensure proper adherence to the PT routine. For minor surgeries, post-op PT may happen in the home.
The purpose of PT following surgery is to relieve the pain and improve the patient’s function. Therapists help patients attain these objectives by:
- Helping build strength and function in the muscles
- Ensuring joints regain movement and flexibility
- Encouraging fluid drainage and boosting blood flow
- Discouraging the development of scar tissue
- Assisting patients to regain balance and retrain parts of the body
The amount of pre and post-surgical physical therapy a patient needs depends on their injury and the level of surgical intervention required. Sometimes surgeries are minimally invasive with short recovery times. For involved surgeries, physical therapy may be more involved with a longer patient recovery time.
If you have a future surgery scheduled, talk to your primary care physician and surgical team about the benefits of pre and post-surgical physical therapy. If they say it is a good idea, contact a local PT office to schedule an initial examination and discuss your surgery and symptoms. The therapists can help you strategize for the surgery and recovery to come; they may even consult with your surgical team to determine the best regimen for your needs.