Pre-Surgical Rehab

Do you have a surgical operation planned soon? It is natural to be worried about how well the surgery will go or how long your recovery period may be. Many people participate in physical therapy treatments after surgery, however, there are also benefits to completing a pre-surgical rehab plan.

What exactly is pre-surgical rehabilitation?

Pre-surgical rehabilitation, also referred to as pre-hab, is becoming an increasingly recommended practice by surgeons, as it can improve the outcomes for their patients. Studies have shown that beginning physical therapy a month or so before surgery can significantly speed up your recovery time.

How is it beneficial?

According to the National Institutes of Health, participating in exercise therapies prior to surgery can improve your post-operative outcome and reduce your recovery time. Pre-hab helps improve strength and promote pain relief. It can also help you prepare mentally, by encouraging an overall sense of well-being.

6 Reasons Why You Should Consider Pre-Surgical Rehab:

There are six key aspects to pre-surgical rehabilitation and how it can help you be successful:

1. Reduce Pain. No matter what your surgery may be for, our physical therapist can help reduce your pain through pre-surgical rehab.
2. Improves Outcomes. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) states that pre-hab can improve the overall outcomes of surgery and can help in save money due to faster recovery.
3. Reduces Complications. Physical therapy treatments, especially those incorporating exercise programs, can help increase your strength and endurance. As a result, this can improve your immunity, meaning that the chance of infection after surgery will be much less likely.
4. Increases Strength and Stamina. Whatever surgery you may need, there will always be a loss of strength following the procedure. However, pre-hab can help in reducing how much strength is lost by increasing your strength and stamina before the operation.
5. Shortens recovery. By completing a pre-hab program before your surgery, your recovery should go smoother and faster. Having strong and toned muscles before surgery helps you get back to your regular routine much quicker.
6. Gives the possibility of avoiding surgery. If your pre-hab treatments work well in improving your pain and overall condition, it may be possible to avoid surgery. While not always common, some patients find that pre-hab treatments were successful in reducing their pain. If your condition begins to improve considerably, you'll want to consult with your physician regarding future treatment options and the possibility of avoiding surgery.

Consider pre-surgical rehabilitation today:

Pre-surgical rehabilitation has been known to provide a number of benefits for surgical patients. When you are as strong, flexible, and healthy as possible, you are able to regain normal function much quicker, following surgery.

If you are planning on having surgery, contact Washington Physical Therapy today to speak with one of our team members. Our Kirkland, WA physical therapy practice provides you with the best treatment options available. Schedule your appointment today to prepare for an easier procedure and recovery period.

Post-surgical Rehab

Find Relief After Surgery with Post-Surgical Rehab

Do you have an upcoming surgery? Are you concerned about the recovery? If so, post-surgical rehab can help. At Washington Physical Therapy, one of our Kirkland, WA physical therapists will design a treatment plan to best fit your needs, so you can maximize your outcomes and bounce back as quickly as possible from surgery!

When is surgery necessary?

When conservative treatment options for an injury do not provide effective relief, physicians may recommend surgery. Some common conditions that may lead to surgery include:

• Knee ligament tears (ACL, MCL, etc.)
• Meniscus tears
• Rotator cuff tears
• Full or partial knee replacements
• Hip replacements
• Foot or ankle pain

Most surgeries cause some degree of pain, swelling, and loss of motion. To assist with healing and/or to avoid stress on the surgical area, it is likely that you will have to learn how to do certain things all over again, like walking and getting dressed.

Our Kirkland, WA physical therapists can teach you how to perform tasks safely while following critical post-operative guidelines. These guidelines are often outlined by your surgeon and could include hip precautions, sifting restriction, range of motion limitations, spine precautions, and weight bearing status.

Individualized post-surgical rehab with a physical therapist minimizes your pain and accelerates your rate of healing, but it can also reduce the chances of postoperative complications, including infections, bleeding, blood clots, muscle weakness, scar tissue, decreased function, and other factors that can negatively impact your long-term health.

Another critical reason for electing post-surgical physical therapy is its ability to help you reduce or completely avoid prescription painkillers, including opioids.

According to the CDC, an estimated 115 people every day die from opioid overdose, and upwards of 29% of people prescribed opioids will end up misusing these dangerous drugs. For this reason, the CDC advises people to choose physical therapy over prescription painkillers whenever possible.

Get started with post-surgical rehab today:

Whatever surgery you may be undergoing, physical therapy can help you regain your function once again. Our physical therapist will design you a personalized treatment plan that may include targeted exercises and stretches that will maximize your post-surgical recovery.

While pain-management drugs simply mask the pain, physical therapy helps resolve it at the source. This is done through specialized methods, techniques, and modalities, such as joint mobilizations, home exercise programs, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and laser therapy.

Part of your rehabilitation process will also include education on lifestyle and nutritional techniques that will help in optimizing your long-term health. This will help you avoid re-injury, recurrent surgeries, and prolonged downtime.

If you have an upcoming surgery, contact our Kirkland, WA physical therapy office today to see how we can help make your recovery process as smooth as possible.