What does Post Operative Recovery mean?
Post Operative recovery is the care you receive after a surgical procedure. The type of postoperative care you need depends on the type of surgery you have, as well as your health history. It often includes pain management and wound care.
When conservative methods don’t work
Surgery is most likely to be the last step for most people and it is often only undertaken when conservative methods such as physiotherapy have been unsuccessful in producing the desired result. Orthopaedic Surgeons generally ensure that their patients have had a thorough physiotherapy and assessment and course of treatment, prior to surgical intervention.
It is important to realise that the success of your surgery does not finish the moment you leave the operating theatre. This is where post-operative physiotherapy comes in to optimise your results.
In hospital you will be provided with some simple exercises to minimise complications such as chest infection or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). In addition to these exercises you may be provided with some early strengthening or range of motion techniques.
When you return home you may feel that following your surgery, you will want to gain further physiotherapy and advice to advance your recover to fully regain your strength, flexibility and function. The quickest, safest and easiest way to return to your day to day activities is by consulting a physiotherapist experienced in post-operative rehabilitation.
What can we do?
Edinburgh Sports & Spinal Physiotherapy will happily assist in your post-operative care and rehabilitation. We are familiar with the treatment protocols prescribed by most Orthopapedic Surgeons and if required we can liase with your surgeon to determine any specific requirements based on your individual surgery.
A major part of the successful outcome following surgical procedures is good physiotherapy treatment concentrating on:
- restoring optimal mobility
- strengthening weakened and disused muscles
- compensation for any functional loss
- restoring normal movement patterns and habits
Orthopaedic procedures
We are happy to see clients before or after planned orthopaedic procedures such as:
- Shoulder surgery– arthroscopy, tendon or ligament repairs, decompressions, joint replacement, fracture management, acromioclavicular joint repair
- Hip– arthroscopy, labral repair, joint replacement, injection
- Knee– ligament, cartilage or tendon repair, arthroscopy, injection, joint replacement
- Spinal– fusions, stabilisations, discectomy, injections
- Ankle– arthroscopy, ligament repair, joint replacement
- Foot– bunion and toe surgery, fracture management
Prior to Surgery
A lot of patients may feel it helpful to visit us prior to their surgery. This ensures you are familiar with the process, and what exercises you will be doing immediately post-surgery. It is also useful to assess current movement and the requirements you will need to help with rehabilitation goal-setting following your surgery.
Many surgical procedures benefit from having patients at their very best or strongest prior operation. This may help greatly with post-operative rehabilitation.
If you have any queries regarding your planned procedure and whether we can help you please call Edinburgh Sports & Spinal Physiotherapy.