Post-surgery Rehabilitation

Post-surgery rehabilitation is sometimes as important or even more important than the surgery for complete and efficient recovery. Rehabilitation requires cooperation between doctor, physiotherapist and patient.

The length of time that a patient may require rehabilitative care depends upon many things. The speed with which the patient is able to see results and success as well as the severity of the injury will both have an impact on the length of time that rehabilitation is needed. Patients that have had particular orthopaedic surgeries such as total joint replacements such as the hip or knee, reconstructions of the ankle, elbow or knee or spinal surgeries will all need post-surgery rehabilitation and work in conjunction with their treating orthopaedic surgeon and the physiotherapist.

When a patient consults with the physiotherapist the degree or range of motion and function of the injury site will be assessed. The therapist will ask questions as to the degree of pain that is being experienced, the expectations of the patient as well as the strength of the injury.

Rehabilitation can take time. Sometimes the rehabilitation and therapy can begin as a painful process as the injured area has been weakened from the injury and the surgery, but with specific exercises and strength building sessions the injury site begins to strengthen and the pain is lessened. The aim of the rehabilitation therapy sessions is to provide the patient with enough range of movement and strength to be able to complete tasks independently. Once the patient is based in their own home environment they will then continue on with home based exercises as well as motion and range building programs that will allow the injured site to heal most satisfactorily.