What is Post Operative Care
Postoperative care is the care you receive after a surgical procedure. The type of postoperative care you need depends on the type of surgery you have, as well as your health history. It typically includes pain management, improving range of motion, and increasing strength.
Postoperative care involves assessment, diagnosis, planning, intervention, and outcome evaluation. Surgery can have both physical and psychological effects which may influence your recovery and cause frustration and anxiety. Our experienced team will carry out a full assessment and work with you to create short and long-term goals to help you to maximize your recovery potential and minimize any secondary problems that could arise from your surgery.
Physiotherapy after surgery may begin immediately after surgery, or a few days after surgery, however it is important that soon after you have been discharged you begin physiotherapy to achieve the best possible recovery. A patient’s ability to regain motion and strength, and ultimately return to their daily activities, will be greatly improved with physical therapy. The body will not regain normal motion without proper retraining.
Physical therapists are professionally trained to restore range of motion, increase strength, improve balance, and prevent re-injury during the recovery process. The therapist can also provide the patient with specific guidelines to allow optimal healing.
At BPC, after a thorough evaluation by a physical therapist, goals will be set to minimize the adverse effects of surgery such as pain, swelling, and numbness, as well as to restore normal movement, flexibility, and function. The therapist and patient will work together to establish functional goals related to resuming normal activities, as well as minimizing the risks of injury. The therapist will then design an exercise program tailored specifically to the patient’s needs and abilities.
Our post operative care includes the following:
Wheelchair Friendly
Providing Support
Post Xray Reading
Pain Relief
Reduce Swelling
3 Phases of Post Care + 1 Phase of Pre Care
Generally speaking post-operative physiotherapy proceeds in three phases. The early recovery phase, the strength and range of motion phase, and lastly the functional restoration phase.
Post-operative physiotherapy, or post-surgery rehabilitation, is essential for patients after undergoing orthopedic surgeries, and is expertly provided by BPC staff. Using a range of exercises, physiotherapists help patients regain muscle strength and movement so that they can perform routine tasks as soon as possible.
Pre Care (if possible by the patient)
It is often helpful to see us before your surgery to ensure that you are familiar with what exercises you will be doing immediately post-surgery. We can also assess your capacity pre-surgery and establish recommendations that can help with setting the goals for your post-surgery rehabilitation.
Physiotherapy in the Early Recovery Phase (Phase 1)
This phase begins as soon as you are discharged from surgery and continues until your tissues have healed, the swelling from surgery has dissipated, and the pain associated with the surgery has been mostly resolved. During this period of time, we will be focused on the following;
- Pain relief
- Reducing swelling
- Gentle manual therapy to restore range of motion
- Assistance with early walking (using the parallel bars in our gym)
- Prescribing aids like walkers or canes and explaining you how to use them
- Simple exercises (isometric exercise) to begin regaining muscle function without disrupting healing. We will also be following up to make sure that you are working on these exercises at home.
Physiotherapy in the Strength and Range of Motion Phase (Phase 2)
Once you have reached the appropriate milestones for your specific surgery, and the post-op pain and swelling have reduced, our physiotherapy program designed for you will become focused on normalizing the range of motion, mechanics, and strength of your body. During this time, your post-op physiotherapy program will likely include:
- Increased strength exercises
- An introduction of some balance and proprioception tasks (awareness of the positioning and movement of your body)
- More aggressive manual therapy to restore full range of motion
- Soft tissue treatment to ensure you regain full mobility (including the use of our state of the art machines)
Physiotherapy in the Functional Restoration Phase (Phase 3)
When your strength has returned sufficiently to do more complex exercises safely, we will transition you into the functional restoration phase of your post-op program. Each person’s demands from their body are different, and it is important that your therapy program is tailor made for your specific needs. Some patients may be looking to return to a lifestyle of being able to play with their grandchildren, while others may be looking to get back to competitive sports. Our program will be tailor made for you to work towards that goal. In other words, the program will be designed to progress toward the specific goals of the patient. During this period of time you may be doing some of the following:
- A progression of exercises designed to meet a complex functional goal
- More difficult and complex balance and proprioception exercises
- Manual therapy to restore full range of motion (if not already achieved)
Benefits of Post op physio
- Management of pain. There are certain machines and methods that BPC offers that can reduce the pain you experience post op. Patients often fear that physical therapy will lead to more pain. On the contrary, the exercises and techniques employed by our PTs help restore muscle and joint function, helping to relieve your pain.
- Helping you return to daily activities faster. While you may be able to return to your daily activities on your own, working with BPC will get you there faster, safer, and reduce the chances of complications or injury.
- Strengthening of weak muscles. Guiding you to make sure you are using the correct equipment and form to regain muscle strength
- Stretching of muscles. Dealing with muscles that may have become stiff, utilizing manual therapy we can help ease the pain and improve flexibility for your muscles with the correct methods
- Improving recovery. Helping get you back to the level you were previously, or better once you have recovered
- Improving posture.
- Regaining independence.
- Reducing anxiety. Helping reduce any anxiety that you may have and help you regain your confidence.
- Enhancing Mobility. Providing exercises to improve circulation and range of movement
- Improving Blood Circulation. Physical therapy can help improve your blood circulation, giving your healing a boost. Blood carries oxygen and other nutrients throughout the body, which can help alleviate inflammation and help you heal faster.
- Improving Balance. You may be prone to falls during your recovery. There are certain exercises and therapies that can help improve your balance so you can walk without fear of accidental falls.
- Strengthening your core. Your body’s midsection, or “core” as it is commonly called, is one of the essential foundations of your body. The muscles in this area of the body help to keep you stable and help prevent injuries. Physical therapy can specifically strengthen your core for better overall health and an easier recovery.
Common Surgeries Requiring Post-Operative Care
Shoulder
- Shoulder Reconstruction
- Shoulder Stabilisation
- Rotator Cuff Repair
- Acromioplasty
- Capsulotomy
- Post-Fracture
Elbow
- Tennis Elbow Release
- Golfer’s Elbow Release
- Post Elbow-Fracture
Wrist & Hand
- Carpal Tunnel Release
- Wrist Fractures (Radius, Colles, Scaphoid)
- Tendon Repairs
Hip
- Hip Replacement or Resurfacing
- Hip Labral Repairs
- Hip Arthroscopy
- Total Hip Arthroplasty
- Post-Hip Fracture
Knee
- Knee Replacement
- Ligament Reconstruction (ACL & MCL)
- Arthroscopy
- Meniscal Repairs
- Microfracture
- Chondroplasty
- Patella Tendon Transfer
- Femur, Tibia or Patella Fracture
Calf
- Achilles Tendon Repairs
- Fasciotomy
Ankle & Foot
- Ankle Reconstruction
- Ankle Ligament Repairs
- Ankle Arthroscope
- Ankle Fracture
- Heel Spur Removal
Spine (Neck & Back)
- Discectomy
- Microdiscectomy
- Laminectomy
- Spinal Fusion/Stabilisation
BPC’s 4 step process was established by our team of expert physiotherapists to best guide you through a successful recovery while empowering patients to take charge of their health through our personalized exercise program.
The first step in recovery is to relieve immediate pain. We use state-of-the-art machines, including ultrasound, laser, and shockwave devices, to reduce the discomfort and pain your muscles are experiencing. This then allows your body to relax and return to its full function.
Using manual therapy, our therapists will use their ‘hands on’ clinical massage to loosen and improve the mobility of the joints, soft tissues and nerves. This will unbind your tense muscles and eventually provide the mobility leading to increased range of motion
Once your muscles are loosened, our therapists will work on increasing your range of motion. This allows your joints or muscles, which are no longer painful, to move closer to their full range. This process involves moving in the correct direction, speed, and technique to prevent further complications. As you get stronger, you will progress into the exercise phase of recovery.
To complete the process, we will work with you on proper form and exercise techniques to ensure your pain and complications do not return. This allows you to live a healthier and happier life both physically and mentally while spending more quality time with your loved ones.
