Surgery Rehabilitation - All You Need to Know

Certain injuries and illnesses can only be treated with the help of surgery. After surgery, you might think about catching back to your everyday life but this is not possible. Because it is too early for your body to resume the daily routine followed by surgery, our body needs time to restore. A surgery rehabilitation can be a lifesaver after a surgery. Rehabilitation therapy enables the body to not only heal rapidly but also reduces the pain, hence allowing you to return to your former lifestyle shortly. 

Thinking about considering surgery rehabilitation? Here’s everything you should know about. 

What is Surgery Rehabilitation?

Physical therapies are required by individuals that have gone through hip replacement surgery, open heart procedure, breast cancer treatment, and so on. Physical therapy in the form of rehabilitation helps in speeding up the healing process. A physiotherapist is knowledgeable about the surgery, its procedure, and post-surgical goals for the patients. They play a major role in the improvement and well-being of the patient. The significance of post-surgical rehab and training is immense.

The fundamental objective of surgery rehabilitation is to get rid of stiffness and weakness caused after surgery. Multiple techniques and exercises are put into action by a physiotherapist in the rehabilitation process.

Also Read:  Joint Replacement Physiotherapy

Surgery Rehabilitation Facility

After getting discharged from a hospital followed by surgery one may be in need of surgery rehabilitation. In most cases, the healthcare facility prescribes the patient to attend rehab therapy. Sometimes they also advise you on the rehabilitation facility, as to where. If it's not the case then you should begin looking out for options. We advise you to prepare a list of rehab centers and go out on scouting. Note that visiting each one of those centers is the best option but if you can’t do that then calling them would be ideal.

Rehabilitation centers may widely vary in terms of offering services. You should focus on a center that offers the most comprehensive range of services including physiotherapy, neuro therapy, hand therapy, manual therapy, and others. A perfect rehab center must be well maintained, clean, and odor-free. Inquire about the questions that may concern you or the patient and his health.

Benefits of surgery Rehabilitation

• Improves mobility, balance, and strength

Surgery often causes mobility limitations. The natural response of the body protects the area from trauma that results in muscle tightness, swelling, spasms, and limited motion range. With the help of strengthening exercises, myofascial release, and other manual techniques a patient’s mobility can be regained. Additional exercises can strengthen muscles in the core, back, and pelvis. This also boosts stability and improves balance. Highly beneficial for a person recovering from knee or hip replacement surgery.

• Eases pain and swelling

Swelling and pain are a natural part of the healing process after surgery.  Pain is caused due to the stimulation of nerves by the chemicals that result in excess inflammation and compressed nerves. Reduced swelling promotes the healing process and improves mobility, hence reducing pain. Various exercises directed by the therapist during rehabilitation play a key role in decreasing swelling and easing the surgical pain effectively. 

• Reduces scar tissue formation

The patient will experience scar tissue formation after an injury or surgery. As a part of the healing process the soft tissues contract. The excess formation of scar tissue badly reduces the function and movement for months. This can be eased by a therapist who can perform various mobilization techniques for softening scar tissues and restoring proper flexibility.

• Improves Flexibility

Inactivity often results in weakened muscles, they easily get stiff and are likely to suffer further injury. Not just that but normal life activities become difficult too.  An estimated 6-8 weeks are needed for soft tissues to heal completely. It is recommended to participate in rehabilitation activities at least for this period. Gentle stretching exercises are often practiced by the patient instructed by the therapist after surgery. During rehabilitation, the patient is also assigned some exercises that they’ll have to perform at home.

• Faster Recovery Time

Patients are often provided with tailor-made therapy post-surgery. The intention behind this rehabilitation treatment is to help the patient heal properly and re-establish normal motion. A post-rehabilitation therapy can benefit in minimizing the recovery time. Pain can be reduced as well over time.

• Participation of Patient

Patients actively taking part in their recovery process are likely to have better results than those who don’t. Spending enough time with your physiotherapist will help you learn things about your recovery and methods. In rehabilitation therapy, patients can freely ask questions to the therapist that is bothering them. The therapist also takes a step to educate the patient about the changes after surgery and the effects of therapy.

What is Whiplash?

Whiplash is an injury that is caused by forcible bending of the neck in a forward and then backward direction or vice versa. It mostly results due to a sudden automobile collision. Not just accidents but sometimes it is also caused when an athlete is engaged in contact sports. Whiplash is poorly understood but there are a few symptoms that can suggest a whiplash injury.

Symptoms

• Shoulder pain

• Irritability

• Blurred vision

• Neck pain

• Neck stiffness

• Dizziness

• Pain in arm or hand

• Lower back pain

• Concentration or memory problems

• Sleeplessness

• Tiredness

• Dizziness

• Pain in your arm or hand

• Numbness in your arm or hand

Always visit your healthcare expert to get diagnosed. Based on the status of injury, your health, symptoms, and some other factors you’ll be treated accordingly. Physiotherapy rehabilitation is a popular treatment option for whiplash.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. When do you start physical therapy after surgery?

A. The answer may surprise you but it is advised to start your physical therapy within a few days of surgery. In most cases, the therapy can be started right away. A professional physiotherapist will most likely give you a visit to show the activities that you can start performing right there. Those activities are safe and are meant to strengthen the affected part of the body and help you regain movement.

Q. Shoulder Surgery Rehab Timeline

A. The shoulder surgery rehabilitation timeline is varied as per the patient. However, a full recovery is expected to take four to six months. The recovery usually happens in a few distinct stages. The first task is to manage the postoperative pain experienced by the patient. You’ll be able to resume normal life activities but with one arm only as the other one requires more time to be capable enough. During the rehabilitation, your therapist will work to help you regain your strength and motion at the affected area.

Explore our excellent surgery rehab options

Innova Physio & Sports Rehab has by so far helped countless patients to resume their normal life after surgery. We offer excellent surgery rehab facilities for successful treatments for events like surgery, illness, or medical events. Our registered professionals at Hamilton in our clinic are always ready to assist you. Visit or contact us for further assistance.

Author - Denish Tamakuwala

Denish Tamakuwala is a Physiotherapist and Clinic Director at Innova Physio. He is a Registered Physiotherapist with a Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy from the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Science. He obtained a Diploma degree (honours) in Fitness & Health Promotion from Humber College. He possesses extensive knowledge and practical experience in therapy and rehabilitation treatment. Apart from assisting his patients through physiotherapy, he loves to compose informational articles to educate the mass.