After an orthopedic surgery, many patients believe that bed rest is all they need to make a full recovery. In reality, the best course of action is to come to our Marietta spine and orthopaedic clinic for physical therapy. It plays a crucial role in orthopedic rehabilitation for all types of patients, from senior citizens to professional athletes.
Let us explain why you should go to physical therapy instead of refraining from any kind of effort after an orthopedic surgery.
1. You Need Mobilization to Recover the Full Range of Motions
Your natural instinct is to avoid any movement involving the body part that was operated on. While you should avoid sudden or strenuous efforts, immobilization is not a good idea.
A physical therapist knows that this leads to muscle and ligament atrophy. When the surgery site is fully healed, you may find that you’ve lost the full range of motions and function of the respective area. Exercise is essential if you want to make a complete recovery.
2. Physical Therapy Helps Strengthen Muscles and Regain Balance
Exercises recommended for orthopedic rehabilitation are carefully developed by specialists. They are designed to:
- Restore muscle strength and flexibility
- Help patients regain balance and prevent accidents (such as tripping, and falling)
- Gradually increase endurance
Without these special exercises, you may actually risk re-injury once you try to return to your everyday life. Your body is simply not ready for the effort it takes to walk, drive the car and perform other regular activities.
3. The Physical Therapist Helps You Learn How to Use Assistive Devices
If you suffered a lower back or leg injury which required orthopedic surgery, most certainly you will have to use assistive devices during the first 2-3 weeks after the intervention. Now, most people believe that they know how to use a pair of crutches or a walking frame.
In reality, it is not as simple as it appears. You must learn how to avoid putting your weight on the surgery site. You need to practice to maintain your balance and to avoid tripping as you move from a stone floor to a carpeted area, for instance.
These are things which a physical therapist at our Marietta spine and orthopaedic clinic will teach you. Post-operative rehabilitation is, thus, necessary in order to avoid accidents while using assistive devices.
4. Preventing the Formation of Scar Tissue
If a patient chooses complete bed rest to recover, scar tissue may form at the site of the surgery. This is how our body attempts to repair itself after an injury. The problem with scar tissue is that it lacks the strength and flexibility of normal muscle or ligament tissue.
Moreover, it can lead to chronic pain in the future. To avoid these issues, make sure that you enlist the help of an experienced physical therapist at our clinic. Their personalized treatment plan will help you heal and avoid the formation of scar tissue.
5. Preventing Future Injuries
Orthopedic rehabilitation through physical therapy is extremely important if you want to prevent recurring injuries. Many people are left with reduced strength and function at the surgery site without a comprehensive rehabilitation plan.
This makes them more likely to suffer another injury in exactly the same area during a future accident, such as a trip and fall. Moreover, the respective area is more prone to developing degenerative conditions (such as arthritis or osteoporosis).
Let Our Physical Therapists Help with Your Orthopedic Rehabilitation!
After an orthopedic surgery, make sure you get in touch with our Marietta spine and orthopaedic clinic to schedule an evaluation appointment with a physical therapist. Our specialists know how to create personalized therapy plans that help each patient make a full and speedy recovery.
Do not compromise your chances of getting back to your everyday life with full strength and range of movements. Call us today at 404-596-5670!
