Once you know you are scheduled for major orthopaedic surgery, such as joint replacement or reconstruction and repair, it is advisable to see your Physio who can provide prehabilitation ‘Prehab’.
What is involved in pre/post operative physiotherapy rehabilitation?
This involves setting appropriate exercises to best prepare you and your affected joint for the surgery that’s ahead. Better outcomes are usually achieved if this preparation work is done.
Following the procedure, when instructed by your surgeon, rehabilitation ‘Rehab’ can commence. You will have correct exercises taught to you and then progressed as appropriate on following periodic visits.
We aim to work with you to achieve the best possible outcome after your surgical procedure.
Objectives of Pre/Post Operative physiotherapy
- Range of joint motion
- Muscle strength
- Muscle balance
- Recovery of function
- Reduce Swelling
- Reduce Pain
- Swift Recovery
Pre operative phase
Prior to undergoing an operation we can ensure you have the best possible functional ability to optimise your recovery. Operation results have been shown to be better when physiotherapy intervention is part of both the pre and post operative phases of recovery.
Post operative – early recovery phase
This phase begins once you are discharged from surgery and continues until your tissues have healed, surgery swelling has dissipated and the associated surgical pain has mostly passed. During this period we are be focused on the following;
- Pain relief
- Reducing swelling
- Gentle manual therapy and exercises to restore joint range of motion
- Simple exercises to begin to regain muscle function without disrupting healing
Strength and range of motion phase
Once you reach appropriate milestones after your surgery and the post-op pain and swelling have subsided your program will be focused on regaining the range of motion, strengthening and improving functional ability. Your post-op physiotherapy program will likely include;
- More advanced strength exercises
- Introduction of some balance retraining
- Manual therapy to restore joint range of motion
- Soft tissue treatment to regain mobility and normalise the affected tissues
Functional restoration phase
This phase begins once your surgical area has recovered and strength returned sufficiently to do more advanced exercises safely. Each patients Physiotherapy program is designed to meet their own specific physical goals. During this period you are likely to be doing some of the following;
- Progression of exercises for ability with activities of daily living
- Progression of exercises designed to meet advanced functional goals
- More challenging and complex balance exercises
- Manual therapy to restore full joint range of motion if still compromised
