Orthopedic surgeries are recommended to treat many bone problems and movement disorders. Sometimes, the range of bone or muscle injuries and ligaments, etc. is such that there is no other option but orthopedic surgery. But the key part is the post-surgery procedures so that the patient’s motor organ is restored and able to perform normal tasks. Physiotherapy services after orthopedic surgery are for this purpose.
Physiotherapy is mandatory after orthopedic surgery. Because with the help of physiotherapy techniques, we can restore and maintain the patient’s range of motion during the surgical recovery period. At the same time, these techniques can be effective in reducing surgical complications and even accelerating recovery after surgery. Physiotherapy after orthopedic surgery is diverse, which includes techniques from active and passive methods. At Mahan Physiotherapy Group, you have access to all physiotherapy services after any type of orthopedic surgery, and you can use the skills of experienced physiotherapists as well as the modern equipment of this center to improve and restore the range of motion of your injured limbs.
Why do we need physiotherapy after surgery?
Orthopedic surgery is always the last measure recommended for the treatment of bone and muscle complications. Doctors are aware of the limitations created after orthopedic surgery and they delay it as much as possible so that the problem or injury and complication caused by the patient can be cured by using other methods such as physiotherapy or drug therapy, etc.
However, for many injuries, orthopedic surgery is unavoidable. In this case, the operated person will definitely face problems after the surgery, especially the decrease in range of motion. Orthopedic surgery has a full effect when you properly take care of its recovery period. Otherwise, you will face problems such as reduced mobility. The importance of orthopedic physiotherapy is in relieving such conditions. Because the physiotherapy techniques with effect on the operated organs make them move normally and in this way we will restore the patient’s normal living conditions.
What are the factors affecting physiotherapy after orthopedic surgery?
Undoubtedly, you need physiotherapy after any orthopedic surgery, but what should this physiotherapy be? What methods or equipment should be used? And what is the overall solution to finding the best physiotherapy technique for recovery after orthopedic surgery? At the same time, what is the intensity of the movements and how many of them are performed? To set up physiotherapy programs after orthopedic surgery, they consider 4 key factors:
Type of surgery:
The choice of the method and dimensions of physiotherapy measures is determined completely depending on the type of orthopedic surgery. Part of the physiotherapy services after orthopedic surgery is the detailed examination of the patient by the orthopedist and the analysis of the surgical dimensions in order to prepare the best scenario for strengthening, correction, movement or performing passive activities, etc. At the same time, the physiotherapist checks when we can start rehabilitation after the surgery.
The operated organ:
In the next step, the physiotherapist will evaluate the operated limb. As a rule, the rehabilitation approach to lumbar disc surgery is different from knee surgery, etc. On the other hand, the method of rehabilitation and motion correction of bone surgery with muscle surgery or disc and ligament surgery is different. All the points that the physiotherapist examines to achieve the best physiotherapy techniques to improve the complications caused by orthopedic surgery.
General health of the patient:
Not all people are in the same physical condition after orthopedic surgery. For example, it is possible that the patient suffers from only one movement problem, and surgery to physiotherapy is adjusted around this problem. But in many cases, we are dealing with patients whose general conditions are sometimes critical. Imagine a person with multiple fractures after an accident. As a rule, the outlook of physiotherapy after orthopedic surgery for such a person is different from that of a normal patient. At the same time, the person may have other underlying diseases such as heart problems, blood pressure, osteoporosis and congenital disorders, etc.
Patient’s age: The last factor that determines the type of physiotherapy after orthopedic surgery is the most important one. Because it is necessary to adjust the type of physiotherapy methods according to the age of the patient. Physiotherapy for the operated organs of children or the elderly is not the same. At the same time, the methods of physiotherapy for young people are different from those of middle-aged people, and this is all in order to adjust the age factor in the correct setting of the physiotherapy scenario of performing passive and active movements with the aim of rehabilitating patients after orthopedic surgery.
What kind of physiotherapy is recommended after orthopedic surgery?
Physiotherapy is recommended during the recovery period of any type of orthopedic surgery. But its initial stage, the intensity of its implementation, the type and interval of its implementation vary according to the surgery. What is certain is that physiotherapy measures play a prominent role in movement recovery after orthopedic surgery and do not allow the operated limb to remain in dry conditions after surgery. Physiotherapy after orthopedic surgeries is mandatory as follows:
- Any type of orthopedic spine surgery
- Any type of shoulder surgery
- Any type of knee and knee joint surgery (total hip or knee replacement)
- All ankle, elbow or knee reconstruction surgeries
- Rotator cuff surgeries
- Laminectomy surgery
- meniscectomy surgery (torn meniscus surgery)
In general, for the recovery period of any type of orthopedic surgery, regardless of whether the surgery is small or large, or regardless of whether the surgery was invasive or non-invasive, it is necessary to perform effective physiotherapy measures.
What are physiotherapy services after orthopedic surgery?
Each of the orthopedic surgeries are performed on a certain part of the body’s movement and bone organs, and without a doubt, we face movement restrictions after the surgery. Physiotherapy services after orthopedic surgery are diverse, which include measures of sports movements and the use of equipment. In general terms, we can categorize the related services in the implementation of active and passive physiotherapy techniques. These services are as follows:
- Measures to relieve pain and improve surgical symptoms
- Actions to strengthen muscles and increase physical mobility
These measures are listed below in the list of physiotherapy services after orthopedic surgery.
Measures to relieve pain and improve surgical symptoms
Orthopedic doctors usually prescribe painkillers after orthopedic surgery. These drugs need to be taken at regular intervals and according to the doctor’s prescription. At the same time, physiotherapists can help the patient in determining painkillers and adjusting their usage method. But their most important action is applying physiotherapy techniques to reduce and relieve pain after surgery.
These measures can include laser therapy or electrical stimulation of the surgical site, both of which are effective in relieving pain after orthopedic surgery, especially the placement of foreign objects in the body. For example, it is beneficial to apply laser therapy to improve pain after joint replacement or after lumbar disc replacement. On the other hand, physiotherapists can play a role in reducing pain by using passive skills such as massage therapy or hot and cold compresses.
Actions to strengthen muscles and increase body mobility
These physical therapy measures are recommended based on performing standard exercises after orthopedic surgery and it is necessary to do them completely under the supervision of a knowledgeable and experienced physiotherapist. We categorize these actions into two groups:
- Doing exercises to strengthen the body
- Doing exercises to increase body mobility
Strengthening exercises
Strengthening exercises are varied and usually need to be done with the help of a physical therapist. There is a long list of these exercises that need to be performed according to the surgical site, the patient’s age, the severity of the surgery, and the patient’s physical condition. The purpose of these exercises is to strengthen the muscles and tendons of the body in the injured area.
Physical activity sports
Movement recovery is a prominent part of physiotherapy services after orthopedic surgery. In fact, the biggest problem after orthopedic surgeries, especially when a part of the bone or cartilage is replaced with a prosthesis, is the loss of the patient’s range of motion. Even the addition of a screw during orthopedic surgery can cause movement problems in the patient. But by passing the basic recovery period and performing standard sports movements with the help of a physiotherapist after surgery, we can easily overcome this crisis and restore limited movement conditions.
Conclusion
People are in a special situation after completing orthopedic surgeries. Many of these people have endured movement disorders for years and now they are facing new conditions. Many others may have been bedridden for a long time for reasons such as serious accidents or severe sports injuries, and now, in addition to orthopedic problems, they are facing weak muscle volume and dry joints.
In many surgeries, we see placing prostheses and foreign objects such as platinum in different parts of the body. All the conditions that will make the condition of the patients completely critical and special. At the same time, these conditions after surgery are so diverse and variable that we can never use a specific formula for movement recovery and the passing of the patient’s recovery period.
Each patient has his own conditions and it is necessary to be completely under the supervision of physiotherapy programs after orthopedic surgery. Benefiting from physiotherapy facilities is the winning card of every patient after orthopedic surgery. The success of the surgery depends on the recovery process and how the movement is restored. To benefit from full physiotherapy services after orthopedic surgery, you can use the skills of physiotherapists and modern facilities of Mahan’s specialized group.