Post Operative Physiotherapy: Joint Replacements & Surgeries
Knee Surgery
While non-surgical treatments are often attempted for the initial treatment of knee injuries, there are situations where knee surgery becomes the recommended or necessary treatment.
A person may have knee surgery to treat pain in the joint due to an injury, such as torn cartilage or a torn ligament, or to treat other conditions such as osteoarthritis.
No matter what the surgery, it is crucial to be prepared. While it is common knowledge that following surgery you will need a Physiotherapy prescribed rehabilitation program, fewer people are aware that they can benefit greatly from pre-habilitation programs, or exercise plans you perform before surgery. Making the effort to see a Physiotherapist before surgery can help you recover faster and strengthening the musculature around your hip and knee allows you to reap the benefits of rehab before the actual surgery.
When should I start my post-op Physiotherapy?
Dependent on the type of knee surgery, most cases can start Physiotherapy led rehabilitation 1 week following surgery. In these early days your Physiotherapist will concentrate on swelling management, gentle muscle activation and movement of the knee.
How long is recovery?
Recovery in terms of returning to sport is dependent on several different factors, including neuromotor function (muscle control of the knee), the nature of the sport, and your confidence to return to sport. Therefore recovery is not based on a time-frame, but rather meeting functional related milestones.
What does post-surgical rehabilitation involve?
Your rehabilitation following knee surgery focuses on restoring full knee motion, strength, power and endurance of the muscles around the knee and entire leg. You will be given an exercise program to complete at home, or at the gym, that will address these factors, and progress you through to sport-specific exercises based on your goals.
For more information book in with one of our experienced Physiotherapists.
Hip Surgery
The hip is one of the largest weight-bearing joints in the body. The hip has three functions; to allow mobility of the lower limb, to transmit load between the upper body, trunk and lower limb, and to provide a stable base.
Surgery of the hip can be separated into hip arthroscopies and hip replacements.
Hip arthroscopy is commonly performed to manage hip joint pathologies including femoroacetabular impingement and cartilage tears.
Hip replacement is an option when irreparable joint damage interferes with function and causes constant pain that is not alleviated by more conservative therapies. Total hip replacement is a surgery to replace the ball at the top of the thigh bone (femur) and the hip socket.
If you’ve made the big decision to get your hip replaced, don’t just go on autopilot until your surgery date rolls around. The right preparation can make a huge difference in making your recovery speedy and smooth. It is vital to make an appointment with an experienced Physiotherapist before your surgery, to start an exercise program specific to your goals and limitations. If you learn how to do some of the exercises before your operation, it will make them easier to do later.
When should I start my post-op Physiotherapy?
Post-op Physiotherapy starts as soon as you are able. Generally a Physiotherapist will guide you through some exercises 1-2 days following surgery. These may feel uncomfortable and tender at first, but they will help speed your recovery and diminish your postoperative pain.
How long is recovery?
Recovery is dependent on the type of surgery, and level and type of sport you wish to return to. Generally most clients return to some participation in sport 4-6 months following a hip arthroscopy. Following a hip replacement most clients can return to sport, albeit mostly at a lower level, between 6-12 months following surgery.
Shoulder Surgery
The shoulder is one of the largest and most complex joints in the body. The glenohumeral joint (shoulder joint) is inherently unstable, comprising of a shallow ball and socket joint. It is often described as the equivalent of a golf ball (humerus/arm bone) on a tee (glenoid/socket). Therefore effective shoulder function and stability relies on the ligaments, cartilage, rotator cuff and scapular muscles.
Your shoulder is the most flexible joint in your body. It allows you to place and rotate your arm in many. This flexibility also makes your shoulder susceptible to instability and injury.
The majority of shoulder injuries can be treated successfully conservatively under the guidance of an experienced Physiotherapist.
Occasionally surgery may be recommended for a complicated rotator cuff tear or cartilage (labrum) tear. Although there seems to be a shift towards conservative management even for full rotator cuff tears.
If you have decided to go down the surgical routine, it is important to see a Physiotherapist prior to surgery. The more movement, strength and stability you have prior to surgery, the better the outcomes following.
When should I start my post-op Physiotherapy?
Even though you may still be in a sling, it is important to start Physiotherapy as early as possible. Muscle weakness and stiffness of the shoulder joint result too often due to delayed initiation of a program. Early motion after surgery can also help prevent contractures and the dreaded frozen shoulder. As a result, it is essential to incorporate a strengthening and stretching exercise routine as soon as possible after surgery under the guidance of a Physiotherapist.
How long is recovery?
Recovery is dependent on the type of surgery, and level and type of sport you wish to return to. Generally most clients can return to some form of sport between 6-9 months.
What does post-surgical rehabilitation involve?
A thorough post-operative shoulder exercise program is essential for adequate recovery after shoulder surgery. Making this a priority will maximize your recovery. Rehabilitation will initially focus on restoring full shoulder motion, then addressing strength, power and endurance of the muscles around the shoulder/scapula. You will be given an exercise program to complete at home, or at the gym, that will address these factors, and progress you through to sport-specific exercises based on your goals.
For more information book an appointment with one of our experienced Physiotherapists.
