Physiotherapy and Rehab Post-Surgery

Why do I need to to physiotherapy and rehabilitation post surgery?

Surgery is the first step – completing post-surgical Physio rehab will give you the outcome you’re seeking.

The surgery is now completed and it’s time to regain your strength, flexibility, and function with Post-op rehab. Post-surgery you may have been given a few exercises by your surgeon to get you started. However, in order to gain a complete recovery, you will need to undergo some more extensive rehabilitation with post-surgical Physio.

At City Physiotherapy, we see many patients post-surgeries and help them get back to leading active and pain-free lives. If getting back to sport is your goal, we can guide you through, with rehab exercises and Physiotherapy treatment and management.

Common post-surgical Physio patients that we see at City Physiotherapy include:

Tailor-made Rehabilitation

At City Physio, we will work with you to develop a rehab program to ensure you make the best possible recovery. Whatever your needs, we’ll get you back to your work, sport, or day-to-day activities ASAP. We have an on-site rehabilitation gym and Pilates studio to assist you in the early stages.

It would be beneficial to inform your surgeon that you would like to return for post-operative care at City Physio. You don’t need a Doctor’s referral to start postoperative physiotherapy rehab. However, we can correspond with your surgeon and GP about your progress and management.

Why are rehabilitation and treatment needed?

Patients are often advised to not do too much, too soon. The problem with this is that often people don’t follow through with, or receive insufficient rehab programs. Thus, to ensure that your recovery is healthy and optimised, it is important to begin the process and keep with it.

Your surgeon may have operated on a specific part of your body, but treatment for all of the surrounding areas is vital in order to protect and strengthen. The holistic approach ensures nothing gets reinjured and everything heals properly.

Following any operation, your muscles will be weaker, swelling and scar tissue will develop and you will have a reduction in your range of motion. The aim of this treatment is to target each of these problems and return them to normal as fast as possible. The duration of rehab, along with your ability to return to life after surgery, is influenced by your commitment to therapy.

There is substantial research to show that those who do not complete the majority of their program will suffer from more problems than those who do. Furthermore, rehabilitation with a physiotherapist has been shown to reduce the rate of postoperative complications as well.

Additional benefits of post-operative rehabilitation are the positive emotional and psychological effects exercise has on the body. When we exercise, our body releases endorphins that help improve our overall well-being and mood. Along with this, we are able to manage our pain more effectively, also decreasing our reliance on using any opioids (pain medications) during our recovery.

Can’t I Just Rest After Surgery?

After surgery, joints are stiff and muscles are weak. It may seem like a good idea to stay in bed and heal, however that is not how the body works.

If a joint is stiff, then staying inactive and avoiding movement will only aid it to become stiffer over time. The longer joints are inactive, the harder it is to regain our mobility. Similarly with muscles, if they are weak following surgery, resting will only weaken them further. Inactivity is one of the biggest risk factors for unsuccessful recovery from surgery.

Our Physiotherapists can provide pre-operative physio as well as post-operative treatment to minimise your pain. Our post-operative physio care will also give you strategies to prevent future injuries from being sustained. If your mobility is compromised or you believe that you are making slow progress in your recovery, please contact us.