Undergoing a hip or knee replacement is a significant step toward alleviating your chronic pain, and improving mobility and your quality of life. However, the journey to full recovery does not end with surgery. An often overlooked aspect of post-operative care is the critical role of physiotherapy and rehabilitation. Unfortunately, not all orthopaedic consultants emphasise the importance of rehabilitation to their patients, which can lead to disappointing results.
Why Rehabilitation is Essential
Physiotherapy and rehabilitation is an integral part of your post-operative care plan following hip and knee replacement surgeries.
Here are the key reasons why:
1. Restoring Mobility and Strength
During a knee or hip replacement surgery, your surgeon makes incisions that involve cutting through layers of soft tissues, including muscle. This process can cause immediate weakness and loss of function, a fact many people are unaware of. Therefore, physiotherapy is essential to restore your strength and function.
2. Pain Management
Physiotherapists use a variety of techniques, including manual therapy, exercises and modalities to manage pain and reduce inflammation. Effective pain management can accelerate the healing process and improve your overall quality of life.
3. Faster and Better Recovery
Patients who engage in physiotherapy tend to recover faster and to a greater extent than those who do not. This means a quicker return to normal activities and an overall better outcome from the surgery. Regular physiotherapy helps ensure the longevity and success of your joint replacement, potentially reducing the need for future interventions or care.
4. Preventing Complications
Post-operative complications like blood clots, infection and joint stiffness can be minimised with early and consistent physiotherapy. Exercises that promote blood circulation and joint movement are crucial in the initial stages of recovery.
5. Enhance Functional Outcomes
The ultimate goal of a hip or knee replacement is to return to normal daily activities. Physiotherapy tailors rehabilitation programmes to meet individual needs, focusing on activities of daily living and functional movements. This personalised approach ensures that you can return to a better lifestyle than you had before your surgery.
Don’t let surgery be the end of your recovery, make it the beginning of a better, more active lifestyle. Here at Reflex Physiotherapy, we will give you the tools you need to become stronger and better than ever before.
To learn more, or speak to one of our physiotherapists email physio@reflexphysiotherapy.ie or call 087-6156270.
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