Post-Operative Rehabilitation

What is Post-Operative Rehabilitation?

Post-Operative Rehabilitation encompasses any interventions directed at alleviating post-operative pain and restoring function to an area which has undergone recent surgery.

Post-Operative Rehabilitation may include a combination of physiotherapy and massage therapy to help promote optimal long-term outcomes.

How is Post-Operative Rehabilitation done?

Post-Operative Rehabilitation often first focuses on reducing your pain after surgery and managing your swelling response.

Once your acute pain has decreased and your swelling is under control, the next focus is often restoring mobility to the area that has been operated on.

Depending on the type of surgery you had, rehabilitation may consistent of more passive mobility exercises initially and then progress to more active forms of movement as the tissue that was operated on heals.

After your have regained your mobility in the area, the focus will shift to being on improving your movement control and strength in the area to help you do day to day activities with greater ease.

If your surgery was in your lower extremity, your post-operative rehabilitation will typically re-training you how to walk with correct mechanics to avoid a long-term limp. If necessary, your therapist will teach you how to use an assistive device for walking as well.

Post-Operative Rehabilitation will also include direct instructions of movement and activities you should avoid during each phase post-surgery. Your surgeon and physiotherapist will help guide you to know when it is okay to re-introduce certain activities back into your routine.

You will be given a routine of exercises and self-treatments to do at home to help speed up your recovery and improve your long-term outcomes with the surgery.

What is the aim of Post-Operative Rehabilitation?

The aim of Post-Operative Rehabilitation is to reduce pain and restore mobility and strength to the area that has been operated on to enhance your quality of life.

As you probably noticed above, the focus of rehabilitation will continually shift as you recover post-surgery.

The primary goals are to restore full mobility and then focus on movement control and strength in the area to help you return to being able to functionally use the area.

Another important aim of Post-Operative Rehabilitation is to assure that you do not injure or damage the area that has been recently operated on.

Benefits of Post-Operative Rehabilitation

• Reduced pain in the area that was operated on
• Quicker reduction of the swelling response post-surgery
• Decreased reliance on medications for pain management post-surgery
• Enhanced outcomes and reduced risk of complications post-surgery
• Improved walking pattern if surgery was on lower limb
• Improved movement control and fewer compensation patterns
• Reduced risk of re-injury to the area
• Improved strength and resiliency to the region operated on
• A long-term routine to help you maintain the gains made during rehabilitation
• Training in how to use an assistive device if needed
• Clear instructions on precautions and when it is okay to return to certain activities
• Guidance on braces or aids that will help you avoid re-injury