Post Surgical Rehab

One of the most important parts of surgical intervention is the rehabilitation required after surgery. It only takes a couple of days of immobility before a body part becomes stiff and sore. Typically, protocols for rehabilitation are broken into three or four phases (depending on the surgery).

The specific rehabilitation protocol for your surgery will depend on instructions outlined by your surgeon.  Here we will highlight a broad example of post surgery care with Physiotherapy@Woodbridge.

Post Surgery Care

Phase 1: Early Recovery Phase

This phase begins usually one to two weeks after the surgery. General goals of phase 1 are to:

  • Control Pain
  • Control Swelling & Inflammation
  • Educate on Rehabilitation Progression and Expectations
  • Minimize Effects of Immobilization and Improve Range Of Motion
  • Provide Exercise Prescription
  • Provide Gait Re-Training (If Applicable)

Phase 2: Strength & Range of Motion

  • Progress Exercise Prescription (As Needed)
  • Provide Hot & Cold Therapy
  • Provide Manual Therapy
  • Provide Modalities (Electrotherapy, Massage)
  • Restore Normal Gait & Stair Climbing (If Applicable)
  • Restore Normal Strength & Range of Motion

Phase 3: Functional Restoration

  • Begin to Return to Sport and Exercise
  • Normalize Mechanics
  • Progress Exercises Toward Functional Activities
  • Provide Hot & Cold Therapy
  • Provide Manual Therapy
  • Provide Modalities (Electrotherapy, Massage Etc.)

Common Surgeries We See:

  • Ankle & Foot: Ankle Reconstruction, Ligament Repairs, Arthroscopy, Fracture, Spur Removal, Bunionectomy, Chevron Osteotomy
  • Calf: Achilles Tendon Repair, Fasciotomy
  • Elbow: Tennis Elbow Release, Golfers Elbow Release, Fracture, Biceps Tenodesis
  • Hip: Hip Replacements/Resurfacing, Hip labral repairs, Hip Arthroscopy, Fracture
  • Knee: Knee Replacements, ACL and Ligament Reconstruction, Arthroscopy, Meniscal Repairs, Chondroplasty, Lateral Release, Patella Tendon Transfer, Fracture
  • Shoulder: Shoulder Reconstruction, Shoulder Stabilisation, Rotator Cuff Repair, Acromioplasty, Manipulation, Capsulotomy, Fracture
  • Spine (Neck & Back): Discectomy, Micro-discectomy, Laminectomy, Spinal Fusion/Stabilisation, Spinal decompression
  • Wrist & Hand: Carpal Tunnel Release, Fracture, Tendon Repairs