Pre and Post Operative Physio

Physiotherapy before and after surgery can be a crucial part of returning to your normal activity at work and play.

Orthopaedic procedures such as the following benefit greatly from before and/or after surgery -
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·     Shoulder - arthroscopy, tendon or ligament repairs, decompressions, joint replacement, fracture management,        acromioclavicular joint repair.
·      Hip - arthroscopy, labral repair, joint replacement.
·      Knee - ligament, cartilage or tendon repair, arthroscopy, joint replacement.
·      Spinal - fusions, stabilisations, discectomy.
·      Ankle - arthroscopy, ligament repair, joint replacement.
·      Foot - bunion and toe surgery, fracture management.
 
Physiotherapy can also be very useful after a breast cancer operation as it can help you return to full range of movement in your arms and can also help reduce the risk of side effects such as lymphoedema and shoulder problems.
 

Pre-operative Physiotherapy
Often referred to as pre-hab, physical therapy before surgery has been shown to sharply improve post-op rehabilitation. There is far less risk of soft tissue tightness resulting from any type of invasive surgery.

Your physiotherapist will conduct a complete health history and evaluation to help understand your condition. He or she will address any concerns you have about the procedure and talk about your goals after surgery.

Your Physiotherapist understands the anxiety that comes with undergoing surgery and will help you approach your operation with as much knowledge, preparation and confidence as possible. They will then work with you to design an effective pre-surgery exercise plan based on your schedule and physical capabilities.

Pre-surgery physiotherapy has the following goals:

• Mentally prepare you for surgery
• Reduce pain and inflammation
• Restore range of motion
• Improve muscular control of the injured joint
• Normalize movement patterns prior to your surgery
• Improve overall well-being and fitness
• Maximize the benefits and minimize the challenges that come with surgery
• Gain a good understanding of the exercises that you will perform immediately after surgery

 
 Post-operative rehabilitation
When your body is subjected to any surgical procedure there is an inflammatory response, being the body’s natural reaction to any invasive technique. This immediately increases the chances of the surrounding tissues tightening and the soft tissue becoming more prone to injury. (This is why pre-surgery physio can be so important to help minimise this).

A patient’s ability to regain motion and strength and ultimately return to their daily activities depend on physical therapy.  The body will not regain normal motion without specific retraining. Following a surgical procedure, you can be assessed as soon as you return home with the aim of restoring normal active function through a progressive programme of manual therapy and exercise.

Hands-on post-operative rehabilitation massage will restore muscle length by gentle yet powerful manipulation. Flexibility of your joints will be increased and any inflammation or adhesions that have resulted after the surgery will be reduced and cleared up. In this way, your body will be provided with the best possible chance of recovery.

​Adjustments will be made to your rehabilitation programme where applicable, thus providing relevant and appropriate treatment to maximise your recovery potential in the best possible way. You will also be given advice on how you can help yourself, by giving you relevant exercises to do and by teaching you about what to avoid.
 
With your Physiotherapists expert knowledge, care and advice you should soon be on the way to enjoying life again.
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NorthWest Physio +
4B Shamrock Drive
Kumeu
Auckland

09 412 2945
[email protected]
www.northwestphysioplus.co.nz