The Role of Physiotherapy in Post-Operative Care and Rehabilitation

Undergoing and recovering from major surgery is often emotionally and physically difficult.

Sometimes pre and post-operative physiotherapy is recommended to speed up the healing process. 

What is physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy focuses on the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of physical impairments, disabilities and pain.

How can physiotherapy help?

Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in post-operative care and rehabilitation by helping patients regain their strength, mobility and function. It can also help manage pain levels using a range of techniques like exercise, electrotherapy and manual therapy. 

If your doctor or consultant has recommended physiotherapy before or after your surgery, the following information might be helpful along your journey.

Importance of Physiotherapy in Post-Operative Care and Rehabilitation

Physiotherapy can help patients lessen their recovery time and reduce the risk of complications and re-injury by addressing pain management, swelling reduction, range of motion and mobility, muscle and tissue strengthening, and balance and coordination.

Clinical studies reveal that post-operative physiotherapy can dramatically shorten hospital stays, lower the risk of complications and enhance the quality of life and functional abilities.

Pre-Operative Physiotherapy 

Pre-operative physiotherapy is often an important step in the recovery process because it helps patients get ready for surgery and creates the conditions for effective post-operative care and rehabilitation. The pre-operative physiotherapy has the following steps:

Assessment of the Patient’s Condition 

Evaluating the patient’s condition includes determining their range of motion, physical function, strength and balance, as well as identifying any current illnesses or injuries that can hinder their recovery.

Physiotherapists can develop a treatment plan that is specially customised to the patient’s needs by carrying out a thorough assessment.

Preparing the Patient for the Surgery 

Proper preparation can involve educating the patient on what they can expect during and after the procedure, as well as teaching them techniques for pain management, deep breathing and relaxation.

By preparing the patient both physically and mentally, physiotherapists can help reduce anxiety and stress, which can have a positive impact on recovery.

Discussion of Post-Operative Rehabilitation Goals

The patient and physiotherapist can discuss post-operative rehabilitation objectives during pre-operative physiotherapy. Patients can work towards restoring their physical function and mobility by creating realistic recovery goals.

Creating an exercise regimen that emphasises restoring a range of motion, boosting muscle and tissue strength, enhancing balance and coordination, and controlling pain and swelling is necessary.

Pre-operative physiotherapy is thus a beneficial step in the recovery process and has a significant impact on patient outcomes. 

Post-Operative Physiotherapy 

Physiotherapy after surgery is often an essential part of the healing process since it helps patients regain strength and mobility. Physical therapists collaborate with patients to create a specific treatment plan that includes mobility and range-of-motion exercises to help reduce swelling and inflammation. 

Patients can improve their balance and coordination with post-operative physiotherapy, which helps them avoid falls and other accidents. For patients to heal fully and enhance their quality of life, post-operative physiotherapy is an important aspect of many treatment plans.

Pain Management 

Pain control is one of post-operative physiotherapy’s main objectives. This could entail applying a variety of methods, such as massage, heat therapy, ice therapy and exercises to increase circulation and decrease inflammation. Effective pain management enables patients to move and exercise, which helps with the healing process.

Reduction of Swelling and Inflammation 

Another reason to prioritise post-operative physiotherapy is to help reduce swelling and inflammation. To accomplish this, your physiotherapist may encourage compression clothing, elevation as well as workouts to help with lymphatic drainage. Patients can often restore their mobility and range of motion more rapidly by minimising swelling and inflammation, which can, in turn, speed up their rehabilitation.

Regaining Range of Motion and Mobility 

Regaining range of motion and mobility is another key goal of post-operative physiotherapy. This can involve exercises that focus on stretching, strengthening and mobilising the affected area. By gradually increasing movement and flexibility, patients can improve their physical function and move towards regaining their independence.

Strengthening of Muscles and Tissues 

Muscle and tissue strengthening is a significant component of post-operative physiotherapy. Exercises aimed at increasing muscle strength and endurance, as well as joint stability and balance, can be included in this.

Improving Balance and Coordination

One of the most important aspects of post-operative physiotherapy is restoring balance and coordination. Exercises that emphasise proprioception – that is, the body’s capacity to detect its position in space – might be necessary for this. Patients can aim to increase their total functional capacity by enhancing their balance and coordination.

Advantages of Physiotherapy in Post-Operative Care 

Faster Recovery Time 

Recovery time can be reduced with post-operative care. Physiotherapy aids in enhancing blood flow, reducing inflammation, and strengthening muscles, all of which can hasten the healing process.

According to research in the Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research, patients who underwent physiotherapy after having a knee replacement recovered much quicker than those who did not. 

Reduced Risk of Complications and Re-Injury 

The risk of complications and re-injury can be decreased with physiotherapy. After surgery, individuals who are sedentary for a long time may develop muscle weakness, which increases the possibility of falls and other accidents.

Physiotherapy can help strengthen muscles and improve the patient’s balance and coordination, which lowers the likelihood of these kinds of accidents. Physiotherapists also keep an eye out for issues like blood clots or infections in patients. Early detections of these are beneficial to favourable patient outcomes.

Improved Functional Ability and Quality of Life

The functional capacity of a patient, as well as their quality of life, can both be considerably enhanced by physiotherapy.

Physiotherapy helps to improve patients’ general well-being by assisting them in regaining their independence and thus allowing them to re-engage in their regular daily activities.

After having major surgery, finding appropriate care can be a daunting prospect. However, we at Rustington Convalescent Home are here to help you. 

Rustington Convalescent Home is a specialist centre for post-operative convalescent care, where you can rest assured that our amazing team will be on call  24 hours a day to guide and support you medically, emotionally and physically in your recovery.

If you are in need of post-operative care, contact Rustington Convalescent Home today!