Surgery Rehabilitation at Mid-County Physical Therapy

Surgery is an intense experience and one that often requires rehabilitation in the direct aftermath. One way to achieve physical rehabilitation after a surgical procedure is to undergo professional physical therapy sessions.

Mid-County Physical Therapy can help you through physical therapy and get you started on the road to recovery. Our talented team of physical therapists is devoted to providing the best care to all patients, especially those recovering from surgery.

Some people conflate physical therapy and surgery as part of the same process, but this is inaccurate. Despite their differences, this is not a matter of physical therapy vs. surgery. These two distinct medical processes are closely tied and directly play off each other. Below is an outline of the way Mid-County Physical Therapy helps patients recover from surgery through physical therapy.

When is the Right Time to Start Physical Therapy?

The timing of starting post-op physical therapy is a nuanced topic, but most professionals agree that a complete lack of movement following surgery is a bad idea. Remaining almost completely sedentary for days following surgery can result in a lack of motion, scarring, and muscle weakness.

Light exercise, or movement of some kind, should begin in the days directly following surgery. This includes movement in the area that was operated on. By the time your formal physical therapy sessions start, you should have already begun to move around a bit. This buffer period between surgery and physical therapy can help make the latter much easier.

How Long Does Physical Therapy Last?

The length of time you will be expected to undergo physical therapy will largely depend on the pace of your progress. Physical therapy will last about a half hour to an hour in an individual session. However, this does not account for how long these sessions will stay in the long term.

In most circumstances, physical therapy can go on for as long as the patient needs it. After a certain amount of time, the patient may feel strong and healthy in the surgically repaired area. In that case, there is generally no need to prolong physical therapy. In other cases, the patient may struggle to return to their prior strength, meaning they should stay on track with physical therapy for longer.

What Activities Will You Do During Physical Therapy?

The activities you will be expected to perform during physical therapy will largely depend on the surgery that was performed. For example, recovering from hip replacement surgery will naturally call for lower-body exercises. When one area of the body is repaired, the areas around it also require attention to ensure the body can function fully and properly.

Basic exercise branches that are common in physical therapy are strength and movement exercises. After surgery, the patient will often feel weak and tight, so using exercises that combat these issues is a priority. Patients need to communicate clearly with their physical therapist what they feel so that their activities can be designed around the individual.

Mid-County Physical Therapy Can Help

Mid-County Physical Therapy can help patients through the post-surgery phase of rehabilitation. Physical therapy is a deeply rewarding process for both the patient and the therapist. When completed at Mid-County Physical Therapy, rehabilitation is engaging and overseen by medical professionals you can trust.

We offer several interesting resources for those searching for more information regarding post-op and preoperative physical therapy, including a piece on when not to have rotator cuff surgery. Check out everything we have to offer and Mid-County Physical Therapy and reach out to us today.