There are a number of steps that you can take in order to be prepared for your physiotherapy at home after operation. Being prepared ensures that you and your therapist can work together to reach your goals faster and move better.
After surgery, it would be best not to impose a lot of strain on your body. We’ll get to those procedural steps in a moment, but right now let’s look at the healing process.
Physiotherapy at home often is required when the patient has difficulty with mobility, either because of the area that operation is performed on is lower extremity such as total knee or hip replacements or the extent of surgery makes the movement very painful or difficult. Sometimes, difficulties with transportation or the availability of a care giver to accompany the patient to an outpatient clinic warrant home care physiotherapy. After any form of surgery that entails post operation home
Home carer helping disabled woman getting down the stairscare physiotherapy, it is important that you prepare yourself leading up to your treatment and ensure to aid speeding up the healing process . The time after surgery is crucial, and we suggest the following.
Stop Smoking
Nicotine creates challenges for the body when it comes to bone fusion and healing, as well as raising the likelihood of any form of post operation blood clotting.
Gentle Exercise
Unless you’ve been instructed not to walk, walking is the best form of exercise for the first 6 weeks after an operation, although it is important not to push yourself too greatly. Start slow, and gradually work up to 30 minutes of walking per day. Stand and stretch often, and challenge yourself to take stairs instead of an elevator when it is safe to do so.
Avoid Bending or Twisting Your Body
Depending on the area of operation, we suggest you try to keep items you use daily at waist height to ensure that you don’t bend or twist your body too much after an operation that involves spine or abdominal area. And of course, avoid all heavy lifting. Make arrangements with a friend or family member to help you out from time to time, and plan in advance so you’re never caught in an awkward situation.
Sleep and Sit Correctly
Sleeping on your back with a pillow under your knees is a position that is optimal after back surgery. If you need to adjust your body during sleep for comfort, use the log roll method when turning.
Sit without slouching, as that will cause greater strain on your body.
Steps to Take Before Post Operation Physiotherapy at Home
As suggested by the Johns Hopkins Spine Service (PDF), it is important to complete a surgery follow-up survey before your scheduled physiotherapy at home sessions begin. This may include a few x-rays to ensure that your healing is on course in the six weeks that follow your surgery, and that any issues with healing are noted prior to your in-home physiotherapy treatment.
After your operation, you may be given a program which outlines a number of light exercises by your physiotherapist or nurses in the hospital, it is important to practice these exercises on your own prior to home care physiotherapy treatment and review them with your visiting therapist.
If you are still feeling discomfort 6+ weeks after your surgery or your expectations are not met, discuss all symptoms with a person from the surgical personnel who facilitated your surgery.
Further testing may be required to isolate any causes of discomfort, such as an MRI, CT scan, or a consultation with a pain management specialist.
In Summary
Leading up to your post operation physiotherapy at home, it is important to create a personal regimen and stick to any and all advice provided by your healthcare practitioners. Never push yourself too hard, either; you know your body better than anyone else.
If you need any clarification about what physiotherapy at home post operation entails for your specific condition, please do not hesitate to contact our Toronto or North York clinic. You can find contact information for a clinic in your area on our Contact Us page. And by all means, feel free to leave a comment!
