How Physiotherapy Helps You Recover from Surgery

Health & Medical Blog

Whether your surgical procedure is big or small, the chances are it will impact the way you function afterwards. Attending a physiotherapy clinic following your procedure enhances the post-operative recovery period through improving your range of movement, reducing the risk of clots, and promoting wound healing. Knowing more about physiotherapy and its uses will help you decide how it can work for you.

Following an orthopaedic procedure, you'll enhance your range of movement

All your joints benefit from a range of movement that allows you to go about daily tasks without struggling. When you encounter an injury or require surgery, immobilisation leads to stiffness, which in turn reduces how much you can move your joints. At the physiotherapy clinic, your team will look at your medical history, the nature of the procedure, and ongoing medical conditions to form an exercise plan that brings you closer to your original functioning state.

You'll reduce the risk of clots and help your lungs recover

One of the strongest risk factors for a pulmonary embolism is immobilisation following surgery. In addition, the general anaesthetic your surgeon uses may make taking a deep breath and clearing mucus difficult. Your physiotherapy team can achieve the following when forming your recovery plan:

  • They'll reduce your pain and make it easier for you to move around, which then lessens the risk of clots.
  • They'll recommend breathing exercises that enhance your lung function.
  • They'll provide lifestyle advice on what you can and cannot do when you're at home, which reduces the risk of injury.

Your physiotherapy clinic will provide important means of support

Depending on the nature of your procedure, you may require slings, braces, and casts, all of which work towards promoting the healing process. Your physiotherapist will provide important information, such as:

  • How to safely remove your limbs from slings and other supporting devices.
  • When you should and shouldn't wear braces.
  • How to keep the area surrounding your casts and splints clean.
  • How to look out for dangerous conditions such as compartment syndrome.

As no two surgeries are the same, neither are experiences with your physio. When you attend your physiotherapy clinic, you'll benefit from a plan that meets your specific needs. This plan will remain fluid, which means the professionals leading your case will adapt it as your medical condition changes. With a consistent approach to recovering from your procedure, you'll return to normal functioning in no time.

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19 July 2017

Staying Healthy from the Inside Out

Thanks for visiting my health blog! My name's Caroline. A few years ago, I started to notice changes in my appearance. My hair was dull, my eyes were circled with dark rings, and my skin was looking like it used to when I was a teenager. When cosmetic treatments didn't fix things, I realised the problem wasn't on the outside of my body—it was on the inside! That's when I started researching how to keep myself healthy. To my surprise, improving my internal health really worked. A few years down the line, I feel and look better than ever, and I'm ready to share what I've learned with all of you.