Unfortunately, regardless of how much we wish we could, our lives don’t return to normal immediately following surgery.
If you’ve had an easy routine operation or were involved in a horrific accident in the car, you’ll need some time to recover to your feet and perform just like you normally do.
The post-surgery rehabilitation process can speed the recovery process tremendously and help ensure your operation and treatment’s success.
Therapy for physical injuries is an integral component of the post-operative rehabilitation process that helps patients recover strength, mobility, and self-confidence. It involves various techniques that focus on specific body regions, including stretching, activities, hands-on therapies, and other techniques.
Let’s look at how physical therapy can aid and other things you need to think about.
What exactly is Post Surgery Rehabilitation?
Post-surgery rehabilitation is a specifically developed program that helps restore the joint’s strength and muscle strength, prevent vascular and respiratory issues, improve mobility, and help the patient feel confident to lead a healthy life.
The physical therapy process is the main instrument to attain this goal, and you will discover how it can help you. However, other health professionals can also play a role.
It’s important to be aware that recovery after surgery can be lengthy, ranging from a few months to a whole year, which is why it takes time. It is contingent on the procedure, the outcomes of the surgery, and the length of time each program will be.
The most frequently performed surgeries after which patients can benefit from rehabilitation post-surgery are as follows:
- Orthopaedic (bone, joint and muscles)
- Obstetric and Gynaecological (postnatal surgery, hysterectomy, etc.)
- Neurological and Spinal (disc repair and replacement, brain surgery, spinal)
- Abdominal and Thoracic (lungs and heart, liver, the gastrointestinal system, as well as other organs)
- Breast (resections and reconstructions)
- Urologic (bladder as well as prostate)
Where will it be held?
Post-surgery rehabilitation typically begins shortly after an operation in the hospital and is continued at your physical therapist’s workplace or home.
The hospital rehabilitation process will depend on your particular surgery and the results and will be recommended by your doctor.
Usually, you will receive an overview of your rehabilitation, receive equipment, advice on home exercises and get to know how to move after your procedure safely.
First Steps of Rehabilitation In The Hospital
- Mobility assistance: helping and teaching you to move safely, providing advice, and instructing you to use aids for mobility such as crutches, crutches, etc.
- Splints and sling fitting: instructing you on how to do it at home.
- Exercises for breathing: you will be given guidelines about breathing correctly to prevent vascular and respiratory complications.
Future rehabilitation tips: Your physician will inform you about what to expect in the coming months and weeks and recommend the treatment program (or recommend a different professional).
Advice on discharge: you will be informed about the necessary equipment or tools you’ll require at home during your rehabilitation. You should learn how to avoid infections. These days polymer coatings are designed to be used for coating medical devices and could one day lead to a significant reduction in hospital infections and medical device failures.
Training: you might be taught specific exercises that you will later practice in your home (if you’re in a good enough state).
Post-Surgery Outpatient Rehabilitation
When you’re released from the hospital could receive a referral for physical therapy; however, you may also be able to find one on your own. This is where your long journey toward recovery gets started.
Your therapist, as well as other health professionals, will develop a specific treatment plan designed to aid you in recovering and improving your mobility as well as coordination. The ultimate goal is to help you resume regular activities as quickly as possible, return to work and lead a happy life.
The treatment methods could comprise:
- Massage and hands-on mobilization,
- At-home and guided exercises
- Therapy for Cold and Hot Therapy
- TENS and electrical stimulation
- Light therapy and lasers
- Other
What Is The Reason You Need Post Surgery Rehabilitation
Some patients believe that the rehab tips offered in the hospital are sufficient for them to heal. However, this isn’t the case, and you must be committed to your rehabilitation for a long time.
Post-surgery physiotherapy and other rehabilitation treatments can help strengthen and re-invigorate the affected joints and muscles and improve breathing and circulation.
Rehabilitation after surgery can help:
- Pain Elimination or Reduction
It’s one of the most frequent issues encountered when recovering from surgery. There’s often a belief that physical therapy could cause an increase in discomfort, but this is incorrect.
Different treatment options and exercises can help reduce or eliminate pain by restoring muscles and joint mobility.
- Restored mobility or improved
If you’ve ever undergone surgery, you’ll know that moving as you used to do before is extremely difficult. Your range of motion has been decreased by surgery, and you may have difficulty walking or doing various other tasks.
Exercise and physical therapy can increase your range of motion. It can also allow you to utilize mobility aids such as canes, crutches, or walkers. Why is PT vital? Find out the answer here.
- Improved performance of muscles
Because you spend so much time in a wheelchair following surgery, muscles will likely become stiff and tense. A physical therapy program can aid in improving the function of your muscles, strength, flexibility, and endurance. It can be accomplished through massages, hands-on therapy as well as exercises.
- More balance
Surgery can cause many bodily injuries, taking time to return to normal. The loss of balance and the risk of falling are frequent occurrences after surgery, and post-operative physiotherapy will help you master certain exercises that can assist in avoiding dangerous falls.
- Increased circulation of blood
As with any surgery, since it is an emotional experience and you spend many hours in bed, you must ensure that your body’s blood circulation isn’t affected.
Proper blood circulation is vital to healing and recovery since it is the conduit for blood oxygen and other essential nutrients to the entire body.
How Much Time Is It Going to Take?
The big issue is how long the post-surgery rehabilitation process will take. This is a challenging question because every patient and circumstance is unique.
It can take a month to a half year or even a year to fully recover.
If there aren’t any issues and you remain dedicated to your recovery, typically, a year is the longest time required. However, it’s important to be aware that there are instances when a patient cannot go fully back into their former capabilities, and a physician or physical therapist needs to discuss this after surgery and during rehabilitation.
A realistic expectation can ensure that you make sure to avoid mistakes and keep your focus on the work at hand.
The Final Words
Rehabilitation following surgery is a long slow process of recovery, which could be a few weeks, months, or even a whole year.
The practice of physical therapy (PT) is a major component of the post-operative rehabilitation process, helping patients regain strength, mobility, and confidence. Most likely, you’ll be recommended treatments like stretching, exercises specific to you, hands-on therapy, and various other methods.
Recovery starts at the hospital and continues at the physical therapist’s workplace or the patient’s residence.
In addition to physical therapy, it is suggested to seek out other medical professionals like psychologists, nutritionists, and occupational therapists, as well as speech therapists, to tackle the entirety of your healing.
