In the past, orthopedic surgery meant extremely long hospitalization and recovery periods. However, new advancements in orthopedic surgery have dramatically cut down on hospital and recovery time, allowing people to feel more comfortable with the whole process.
The benefits of orthopedic surgery are obvious; it improves quality of life and helps people get back to their active lives. There is no doubt that the surgery itself provides the foundation for recovery. However, the post-op physical therapy should not be forgotten.
Physical therapy is the main component that helps people restore function to their injury region, and in effect is the crucial element that gets people back to their normal lives.
If you are still debating if physical therapy is right for you, check out some of the advantages that you could gain from physical therapy after your orthopedic surgery.
The 5 Advantages
- A sense of realistic recovery
Wanting to get back to normal activities as soon as possible is always a priority after orthopedic surgery. Most people will either try to move too quickly, causing re-injury; or they will move too slowly, causing the injury to get too stiff. Physical therapists fully understand injury recovery, and they will create the perfect plan that is tailored to your recovery needs
- Excellent motivation
After an orthopedic surgery, patients often expect too much out of themselves in the recovery process. Without help, many people get too frustrated with the recovery process; some even quit altogether. Having a physical therapist to give you motivation and guide you along the recovery journey can be the beacon of the much-needed relief you seek.
- Reestablishing strength
Orthopedic injury always leaves the joints and ligaments lacking in the strength department. While the surgery will repair the damage to the joint or ligament, physical therapy exercises are necessary for reestablishing strength in the injured area.
- Improve flexibility
Immediately after an orthopedic surgery it is common for patients to be wary of moving the injured area too much. This creates stiffness in the joints and muscles, which then creates limited range of motion, which can then cause difficulty in performing normal activities. Stretching exercises in physical therapy help to loosen up these tight areas.
- Unveiling weak spots
Trying to recover on your own after an orthopedic surgery, you might not notice the areas of your recovery process where you need more help. The expertise of a physical therapist allows them to easily recognize where you need a little more help. They can then change your physical therapy program to target these areas more.
Physical therapy is a very important step in your recovery process after an orthopedic surgery. Consult with your doctor after your procedure and get his/her recommendations about when and where to start your physical therapy process.
