In Need of Quick Recovery After Surgery? Try Rehabilitation!
Let’s face it, the idea of having an invasive surgery can be very scary. You’re not sure how the operation will go, and you might also not be clear on what to expect after you’re all sewed up and the anesthesia has faded away. Physical therapy offers precise recovery processes for people just like you who have undergone extensive operations that alter their levels of mobility.
We know that surgery can be a very daunting, worrisome event for most people, but you don’t have to face recovery alone. Call our office today to schedule a consultation. In the meantime, do yourself a favor and read these reasons to attend post-surgical rehab! They may be able to shed some light on how physical therapy leads to a better recovery.
3 reasons to undergo post-surgical rehabilitation
1. It’s important to start moving safely as soon as possible following surgery.
Believe it or not, a physical therapist will often begin introducing you to your recovery process within 24 hours of surgery! That’s a pretty quick turnaround time, huh? Multiple studies have found that patients who are up and moving right after surgery have faster recovery times than those who are allowed to rest and recover before rehabilitation.
Patients who have a knee or hip replacement are actually required to stand and walk within 24 hours, and there’s a good chance that your physical therapist will see you while you’re still in the hospital!
Patients who have surgery on other areas of the body are often referred to a physical therapist even before surgery, so they can begin therapy as soon as they are discharged from the hospital. The sooner you begin rehabilitation after surgery, the faster your recovery will be. The faster your recovery, the better your outcome!
2. Physical therapy reduces the formation of scar tissue.
Scar tissue forms from inflammation and irritation around joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments, making it difficult for the area to move. It almost goes without saying that if you’re having surgery, you should expect some hefty scar tissue along with it at some point. The two go hand in hand!
Anytime a surgeon has to cut layers of skin, fatty tissue, connective tissue, and muscles, they must be repaired as well. Your body will do its best to finishing what the surgeon started by forming scar tissue.
Once scar tissue has formed and solidified, it is difficult and painful to break. The sooner a physical therapist can help create movement in the area that has been affected by surgery, the less scar tissue will develop, the less pain a person will have during recovery. Even though physical therapy is often uncomfortable right after surgery, it is far less painful than waiting to begin rehabilitation in a few weeks or a month!
3. Physical therapists movement experts.
Physical therapists specialize in body movement. We often forget that a physical therapist is a medical specialist. Not only have they completed extensive training and education, but they are also skilled diagnosticians. This means they’ll be able to determine what the underlying causes of your pain might be!
In your first meeting, your physical therapist will assess your current movement capabilities and discuss your surgical procedure. They will then schedule your post-surgical rehab appointments in a way that is appropriate for your goals and procedure.
Your first thought might be, “But isn’t it too soon?” or “There’s no way I’ll be ready.” However, it’s imperative that you trust their skill, experience, and expertise. Committing to physical therapy the way it is prescribed, with the recommended timing and order, will have you back to optimal health much faster than fighting the process.
Keep in mind that your physical therapist does rely on your honest when it comes to pain. If you are ever uncomfortable with an exercise, or something hurts to perform, don’t hesitate to speak up! It’s always a therapist’s goal to make sure their patient is feeling much better than they did when they arrived at an appointment — especially when that patient is in the process of recovering from an operation!
Contact us today for help!
Are you looking at an impending operation? If it’s already on your calendar, you should plan to see a physical therapist right after surgery is over. Don’t wait to schedule your appointment with a physical therapist. Not only will they be able to outline your rehabilitation schedule and recovery process, but they may also have valuable insight into things you can do now to prepare for your surgery date. Call our office today and rest assured that our skilled therapists will have your best outcome in mind when it comes to your recovery.
