Healthfx Physiotherapy
In-home or clinic:Knee and Hip Physical Therapy
While clinics offer alittle more instruments for recovery, we are happy to announce that here at Healthfx Physiotherapy we understanding that it is not always possible for clients to make it to the clinic. While we encourage all clients to make it a goal to transition to our well physiotherapy clinic, we provide In-Home physical therapy immediately after surgery with our valued clients!
When a patient requires surgery, it is usually because their impairment is not treatable through conservative therapy and depending on your physical condition prior to surgery, typically the rehabilitation process begins the next day after surgery. First recovering from the surgery itself and then regaining strength, function and fitness.
We work with the surgeon's post surgery protocol with their specific time lines and progressions, we help you achieve each of these milestones in a timely manor. Each surgery type has a specific protocol to enhance recovery. If you are not feeling up to coming into the clinic, we can provide in-home physiotherapy or virtual tele-health Physical Therapy to get you thru these timelines
Why Physical Therapy?
Physiotherapy treatment is vital to hasten the healing process and ensure an optimal outcome in all patients but especially following a hip and knee surgery or replacement. Physical therapy is vital for all orthopedic surgeries and after fractures that immobilize these joints for a time period.
Treatment and preparation should ideally begin prior to surgery. Physiotherapy can improve your flexibility, balance and coordination while building muscle strength and endurance, and assisting with gait and motion.
You will have some work to do yourself during the initial 6-12 week period that is equally important and critical to your outcomes. Virtual physical therapy is an excellent way for us to coach you from the comforts of your own home if you are not able to come to the physiotherapy clinic.
Early Physiotherapy?
The rehabilitation process typically starts immediately after surgery and once you are recovered and able to attend treatment, exercises are progressed as function is restored.
Early treatment with an orthopedic physiotherapist focuses on restoring mobility and reducing swelling and pain. Gentle exercises are usually prescribed by the physical therapist to encourage healing, mobility and strength.
The process of exercise starts the first day after surgery. The focus of early rehabilitation is to get you back up on your feet. Eventually, over the coming days, this progresses to standing, walking and climbing stairs with the use of walking aids or crutches as guided by the physical therapist and surgeon. Stitches are typically addressed approximately 10 days after surgery.
Recovery times vary significantly from patient to patient although rehabilitation typically lasts 3-12 months or longer. Manual therapy becomes more important at the 6-12 week phase including soft tissue techniques, joint mobilization and scar myofascial release techniques which are beneficial to improve scar tissue flexibility and joint range of motion.
Final and full Recovery?
In the final stages of rehabilitation for example in patients with a hip or knee replacement, a gradual return to activity can occur as guided by the physiotherapist, provided their is no increase in symptoms. How fully people recovery depends to some extend on your goals and your ability to do the work necessary. There are three equally important factors when considering the end result. The surgeon, the physical therapist, and the patient. Each of these 3 factors contribute to your outcome. Your surgeon will continue with follow up appointments until you are back to your activities of daily living and your physiotherapist can help you reach goals that may require a higher level of fitness. You will also need to put the time and effort into your training.
Regaining full strength, endurance, and function from this point onward doesn't look much different, with the exception of a few restrictions after surgery, to a healthy dose of cardio, strengthening exercises, functional training and balance training type exercise program.
Keep in mind that even olympians and professional athletes have these kinds of surgeries later on in life and they continue to stay strong and live a healthy active lifestyle. This is what we would wish for you.
All-Around Fitness
Fitness after surgery can be divided into 4 sections:
- Warm-up and cardiovascular
- Fitness and strength training
- Core training
- Cool down
The strength you build through walking, doing stairs and functional and balance training will work towards your therapy and generally keep your fitness levels up.
Don't forget about getting into water to exercise. Many clients are shocked at how much easier exercise is when practiced in the water and who doesn’t love to escape the summer heat from time to time and get into a pool?
We are so pleased to offer post surgery rehabilitation to our clients. It’s just one more way that we can give you the best help possible at our clinic!