As the human body ages or encounters injuries and other conditions, it undergoes wear and tear, leading to discomfort. While preventive measures or medication can alleviate pain, extreme cases may require surgery. In such cases, orthopedic surgeons play a crucial role in enhancing mobility, reducing discomfort, and addressing fractures, muscles, and tendon damage.
For comprehensive care, orthopedic surgeons collaborate with physiotherapists in Surrey. They work closely with surgeons to assess, treat, and prevent injuries, providing physical rehabilitation and wellness services. Their goal is to improve patients’ mobility, function, and overall health by encouraging daily recovery sessions.
Physical therapy is a recommended treatment for various injuries and illnesses, including mobility issues, sports injuries, and chronic pain. Preoperative planning is essential for successful surgery and postoperative recovery. This blog explores the pivotal role of physiotherapy in pre and post-surgery care, highlighting its significance in optimizing patient outcomes.
Physiotherapy Before Surgery
A preoperative physiotherapy program, also known as prehabilitation, consists of exercise-based plans for patients preparing for surgery. This program aims to prevent complications that may arise without proper monitoring and care.
Engaging in prehabilitation, particularly before joint replacement surgery, can reduce the need for postoperative care by up to 30%, resulting in significant cost savings. Here are several reasons why undergoing physiotherapy before surgery is crucial:
- Shortens hospital stays.
- Reduce the chances of moving to a rehabilitation center post-surgery.
- Low-intensity exercises improve blood circulation and help recover from cardiothoracic surgery faster.
- Regular exercise and strength building in the back, arms, legs, and core can help prevent significant muscle loss during treatment.
- Improves balance even before surgery, reducing the risk of future falls that could prolong hospital stays.
- Mentally prepares for postoperative recovery.
- Establishes a personalized home-workout routine post-surgery.
- It reduces long-term rehabilitation costs and hospital stays after surgery.
Physiotherapy After Surgery
After surgery, a postoperative physiotherapy program, also known as post-rehabilitation involves exercises to help patients recover. This program aims to prevent complications and speed up recovery.
Post-rehabilitation often called post-physical therapy, significantly helps reduce the need for additional care after joint replacement surgery. This helps to save money! Here are some reasons why postoperative physiotherapy is important:
- Helps to recover faster.
- Reduces the chance of needing care in a rehabilitation center after surgery.
- Simple exercises can improve blood flow and help you recover from surgery on your heart and lungs.
- Regular exercises can prevent muscle loss in your back, legs, arms, and core.
- Improves balance, which reduces the risk of falling after surgery and needing to stay in the hospital longer.
- It prepares you mentally for life after surgery.
- It helps to return to your normal routine after surgery.
- Starts a personalized exercise plan to do at home after surgery.
- It helps to save money by reducing the need for long-term care and hospital stays after surgery.
After surgery, patients may experience less discomfort and swelling with proper postoperative care. Physiotherapists can use ultrasound and ice therapy to reduce pain and swelling, helping patients avoid their reliance on painkillers. Postoperative physiotherapy is important because
- Improved spinal mobility
- Quick recovery after knee and hip replacement surgery.
- Fewer complications after breast surgery.
- Reduced risk of blood clots during various surgeries.
- Shorter hospital stays.
Benefits of Physiotherapy Before and After Surgery
Physiotherapy helps to regain strength and health and is an integral part of many treatment plans. Whether before or after surgery, you can expect benefits in various areas.
Motion Range
If you’ve been in an accident or have a condition limiting your range of motion, everyday activities can become increasingly challenging. Without following your physiotherapy plan, stiffness and shoulder soreness, for example, can progress to a frozen shoulder.
Exercise
Your physiotherapist will prescribe various therapeutic exercises for you to do at home between visits. While many patients feel they no longer need their physiotherapist after learning these exercises, regular assessments are crucial. Your physiotherapist will adjust your exercises as you progress and may shorten them if you’re struggling. For neurological conditions, progress toward full recovery may be limited if you don’t adhere to your plan.
Chronic Diseases
Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in helping stroke survivors and those with conditions like Parkinson’s Disease recover or improve. It can help regain lost mobility, gait, and strength, restoring partial or full function and preventing further decline.
Heart and Lung Problems
If breathing issues affect your daily life, physiotherapy can help. Cardiac patients also undergo basic movement training to regain confidence after surgery.
Pain Management
Physiotherapy is beneficial for managing chronic pain or pain from accidents or injuries. It can improve your quality of life and help you return to regular activities, sports, and hobbies.
Professional Physiotherapist In Surrey, BC
In Surrey, BC, professional physiotherapists are essential members of the local healthcare community, offering patients requiring pre and post-surgical rehabilitation therapies with specialized knowledge and individual attention. With a dedication to exceptional care and a thorough understanding of the distinct requirements of different patients, physiotherapy professionals in Surrey provide thorough evaluations, evidence-based treatments, and continuous assistance during the recovery journey.
Physiotherapists stay updated on the latest developments in physiotherapy techniques and approaches ensuring patients receive top-quality care tailored to specific goals and preferences.
Physiotherapy professionals help restore normal movement and function in the body. Programs for structured pre- and postoperative rehabilitation are designed to increase muscle strength, decrease pain, increase mobility, and restore range of motion. Early collaboration with physiotherapists can lead to faster, more comfortable recovery. Some patients may even be able to reduce their postoperative care needs. For evaluation and support, schedule a consultation with the physiotherapy experts in Surrey, BC.
