Post-Surgery Rehab
Also known as post-operative rehabilitation, post-surgical rehabilitation is a physical therapy program focused on re-establishing muscle strength, flexibility, mobility, and joint motion. It is necessary for restoring overall strength and mobility. It can be a lengthy process, but it is essential to help the recovery and healing process after major surgery. It has been proven that working with a physical therapist for post-surgery rehabilitation can kickstart the healing process after surgery and increase the length of time it takes to recover and return to daily activities.
Post-surgical rehabilitation is essential for proper healing after surgery and has many benefits that are worth putting in adequate time and energy. While post-surgical rehabilitation can be a lengthy process, the benefits of a commitment to your treatment plan can yield a lifetime of health benefits. And the rehab pros at Peake Physical Therapy, Baltimore, MD are ready to help! Schedule your free consultation today:
What is post-surgery rehabilitation?
Post-surgery rehabilitation is a type of physical therapy done to restore mobility and strength while starting the recovery process after major surgery. It is a type of physical therapy that involves a custom rehabilitation plan designed to address the specific issues that may affect you after surgery. It also focuses on helping your body to heal properly so that you can get back to your daily activities with the best possible quality of life.
Post-surgical rehab often begins while you are in the hospital recovering. The faster you can begin your post-surgical rehab, the more benefits you will receive, and the faster the healing and strengthing process will begin. A clinical review found high-quality evidence that postoperative rehabilitation should begin as soon as possible after surgery. Toward the end of your hospital stay, your physical therapist will work with you on exercises to do once you can go home to continue your rehabilitation progress.
After you leave the hospital, your post-surgical rehab will entail working with a physical therapist in an in-clinic setting where your rehab will continue. Your physical therapist will work with you on a custom plan that addresses issues related to your specific surgery.
Toward the end of your post-surgical rehab, your physical therapist will work with you on exercises to do on a continued basis to continue progress and to prevent issues that may have led to the need for surgery in the first place. This is designed to continue your rehabilitation as well as a preventative measure to keep you from needing to address the original issue that led to the need for surgery.
How long does post-surgery rehab take?
Post-surgical rehab can be a lengthy process that requires your dedication and adherence to your physical therapist’s in-clinic and at-home therapy recommendations. It can take several months or, depending on the type of surgery, up to a year. It is important to realize how important post-surgery rehab is to restore your strength, mobility, and functionality. It is also crucial to ensure that you make a full recovery from surgery and address the issues that led to the need for surgery.
The length of post-surgical rehab greatly varies depending on factors like the type of surgery, your overall health, and your commitment to your rehabilitation. It is a progressive activity that will be more effective the more you actively participate in the process and follow your physical therapist’s post-surgical rehabilitation treatment plan.
How well does post-surgery rehab work?
Post-surgery rehab is very effective in helping you to recover faster, heal properly, rebuild weakened muscles or joints, and to return to a maximum quality of life. However, post-surgery rehab will only be as effective as the level of dedication and adherence you put into following your physical therapist’s treatment and exercise plan.
For example, studies have shown that patients who begin post-surgery rehab after a major surgery as early as possible (some even beginning the day after waking up from anesthesia) will have less time in the hospital and a faster recovery.
There are many benefits to post-surgery rehabilitation. Some of the most common benefits include:
- Faster recovery time
- Proper healing
- Pain control and pain management
- Reduced risk of post-surgical complications
- Restoration of strength
- Increased mobility after surgery
- Improved circulation and preventing blood clots
- Rebuilds muscle
- Improves balance and coordination
- Self-care training
- Manual therapy techniques
- Home therapy instructions