Did You Know There are Benefits to PT, Both Before and After Surgery?
Are you getting ready to have surgery?
If so, you should consider physiotherapy before your surgery. PT prior to surgery helps with a speedy recovery and not only after surgery.
When the operation is done, physiotherapy can help to ensure a speedy and full recovery. If you have an upcoming surgery planned, contact us to learn more about how physiotherapy can help you with both preparation and recovery.
Call Physiomed Vancouver today to learn how our physiotherapists can help you before and after your surgery.
Why am I in need of surgery?
People may require surgery for a variety of reasons.
It may be required to remove diseased tissues, fix a broken bone, implant an electronic device, remove an obstruction or to explore a condition for the purpose of diagnosis.
Common surgeries include appendectomy, Cesarean section, hip replacement, coronary artery bypass, and low back surgery.
What are some ways I can prepare for my surgery?
If you’re planning to have surgery, you’ll want to prepare for it.
You may be familiar with rehabilitation after surgery, or post-surgical rehab. It makes sense – your body loses a lot of strength when undergoing a surgical procedure, and rehabilitation treatments are needed in order to help you regain your function.
Post-surgical rehabilitation tends to focus on targeted exercises and stretches that are aimed at helping relieve your pain, improve your strength, and redeem your optimum function in the affected area(s) of your body.
It may also incorporate additional methods or modalities as needed, such as manual therapy, ice and heat therapies, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and more. Essentially, it helps you make a full recovery from your surgery.
However, pre-surgical rehabilitation can help you prepare for your surgery – before it even happens. That means taking care of your health and being in the best condition that you can be in before the procedure. You’ll want to ensure that you’re getting enough sleep, eating right, and staying active.
Pre-surgical rehabilitation is a bit different. It focuses on stretches and exercises prior to surgery in order to prepare your body for the procedure ahead.
In fact, according to the National Institutes of Health, participating in exercise therapies prior to surgery can exceptionally improve your post-operative outcomes and reduce your recovery time.
It is no secret that surgery takes a toll on the body, so preparing yourself beforehand with strengthening stretches and exercises can greatly benefit your results.
It can also help you prepare mentally, by giving you a better peace of mind going into surgery, knowing you did everything to make the procedure as easy on you as possible.
Essentially, you should also consider PT both prior to and after your surgery!
How can PT help both before and after surgery?
Physiotherapy before surgery can help:
- Increase stamina
- Restore range of motion
- Reduce complications of surgery
- Shorten recovery time and hospital stay
- Lessen pain
Studies have shown that working with a physiotherapist before surgery helps joints and muscles near the injury before surgery. It results in a faster recovery with a better outcome. Pre-rehabilitation before surgery strengthens the body for surgery.
A physiotherapist will explain how your joints, ligaments and muscles work together, measure your current range of motion and discuss goals for after surgery recovery. It’s recommended to begin PT at least six weeks prior to the scheduled surgery.
However, people who find they need surgery two weeks before also benefit from physiotherapy. The whole purpose of physiotherapy after surgery is to help the patient achieve optimal physical functioning.
A physiotherapist will examine your medical history and perform assessments of your physical strength, motor functioning, breathing rate, balance, and range of motion after surgery.
Although the body can heal itself after surgery, it often needs some help. physiotherapy can help avoid loss of muscle mass, range of motion and scar tissue. Physiotherapists also have cold therapy systems, which help damaged tissues heal faster.
Keep in mind that mobility doesn’t just mean being able to walk. For example, if you undergo shoulder surgery, you’ll need to regain mobility in the joint in order to lift items and reach overhead.
A physiotherapist will design a treatment plan that is specific to your injury and surgery. A physiotherapist will also advise you what activities are sure during your recovery process. You don’t want to unwittingly re-injure yourself.
How can I get started?
If you’re going to have surgery, call us to set up a consult with one of our physiotherapists. They will do a full evaluation and explain the pre-treatment plan and the post-surgery plan.
Our goal is to get you back to your regular lifestyle before your injury occurred.
