Post-Surgery Rehab
Joint Replacement | Fractures | Ligament Repairs | Tendon Repairs
After orthopaedic surgery, Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in restoring function and mobility to the affected body part. There are two main categories of post-surgical orthopaedic rehabilitation, each with its own approach and timeline for recovery.
1. Repair to Damaged / Torn / Broken Structures
Following procedures like ligament repair, bone fracture correction, or toe realignment, the rehabilitation process typically involves a longer period of immobilization and a more conservative treatment approach in the initial 10-12 weeks post-surgery.
2. “Clean Up” Procedure for Frayed or Degenerative Structures
Procedures such as arthroscopic debridement involve removing damaged tissue or debris from a joint. Rehabilitation for these cases usually requires a shorter period of immobilization and a more accelerated treatment progression over the first 4-6 weeks following surgery.
Expectations After Surgery
After surgery, your body enters a protective mode to facilitate healing. This often leads to stiffness and discomfort in the operated area due to factors like swelling, inflammation, and muscle tension. Pain and stiffness serve as natural mechanisms to prevent overexertion and promote healing.
Three Phases of Rehabilitation
Phase 1: Calm the System Down: In this phase, the focus is on reducing muscle guarding and secondary protective responses following surgery. Manual and movement therapy techniques are employed to unload the injured tissues and desensitize nerve endings, gradually easing the body out of its protective mode.
Phase 2: Explore Range of Motion
The next phase involves passive and active exploration of movement to decrease stiffness, tightness, and pain. Passive movements are performed by the physiotherapist, while active movements are carried out by the patient under supervision. This phase prepares the patient for coordination and strengthening exercises.
Phase 3: Restore Coordination & Strength: Once mobility is restored, the emphasis shifts to rebuilding coordination and strength. Basic exercises are introduced early on to build confidence and gradually progress as the healing tissues can tolerate loading. Graded exposure principles guide the intensity, duration, and frequency of exercises to facilitate a return to normal activities.
Summary: Rehabilitation after orthopaedic surgery involves three key phases: calming protective responses, safely exploring movement, and gradually restoring strength and coordination. It's important to recognize that post-surgery symptoms like pain and limited mobility are often normal parts of the healing process, not indicators of failure. Communication with your physiotherapist is essential for monitoring progress and addressing any concerns throughout your rehabilitation journey. If you have questions or concerns about your rehabilitation, don't hesitate to reach out for assistance.
The process for rehabilitating after surgery can be broken down into 3 phases:
Calm the protective responses
Safely explore movement
Safely restore strength and coordination
If you have any queries or concerns about your rehab or prospective rehab, please don’t hesitate to contact us on 02 9665 9667.