Post-Surgery Rehabilitation / Physical Therapy

Surgery is hard enough, as is the condition that led to the surgery in the first place.  After a difficult series of events, you probably want an easy recovery more than anything else.  If the operation went well, you may assume you’re in the clear.  Sometimes that is what happens, which is always a relief.

But sometimes the universe has other plans.  Often, what happens post-surgery influences how well your recovery goes and what kind of shape you are in longer-term.  One’s recovery depends on the person, the surgery, and the particulars of the situation.

With an inadequate post-operative rehabilitation plan (or with none at all), often the wheels can pop off the wagon and either you stop making progress or new problems emerge.

Physical therapy can help, especially the kind we practice here at Greendale Physical Therapy.  With experienced therapists and 4 locations (Shrewsbury, Worcester, Clinton, and Marlborough), we can help make your post-surgery recovery as full and easy as possible.  We can help whether you’ve already had your surgery and are concerned about your recovery, or you haven’t had your surgery yet and want to get the post-op figured out now.  You can contact Greendale Physical Therapy to schedule an appointment, or read on to find out more about post-surgery physical therapy.

Why you might need post-surgery physical therapy

Post-operative rehab can help patients recover from a range of surgeries and other operations, including (but not limited to):

• Back surgery
• Knee surgery
• Hip surgery
• Shoulder surgery
• Neck surgery
• Ankle surgery
• Elbow surgery
• Wrist surgery
• C-section (Caesarean section)

How post-surgery physical therapy can help

Every patient’s situation is different, but most patients want or need to accomplish several things in the course of a recovery.  A customized physical therapy regimen may help you to:

• Regain strength
• Restore mobility, balance, and range of motion
• Reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation
• Reduce dependency on medication
• Improve mental and emotional wellness as you heal
• Minimize your chances of getting the same injury or condition again
• Minimize your chances of a secondary injury or condition
• Form and reinforce habits that help you feel back to normal

What kinds of physical therapy can help one recover from surgery?

Every patient is different, and your situation is unique, and your needs likely will change as time goes on and as you progress.  In any event, most patients benefit from one or more of these basic types of physical therapy

• Strengthening exercises, which often help to offset imbalances or weaknesses that may have led to the injury
• Flexibility exercises, which restore or improve range of motion
• Balance exercises, which often overlap with strengthening exercises
• Aquatic therapy, which can provide low-impact exercise and improve circulation

Start your post-surgery recovery today

Contact Greendale Physical Therapy today to discuss your needs and goals.  We have 4 convenient locations, in Shrewsbury, Worcester, Clinton, and Marlborough.