Physiotherapy forms a key part in making a full recovery from any injury or surgical procedure. This article is intended to help to clarify the areas involved and the type of benefits that will follow.
Our physiotherapists are skilled in helping to:-
- Identify exactly what has been injured
- Correctly manage the injury
- Help you get back to your work, hobbies and sports safely and as quickly as possible.
- Reduce the risk of it happening again
- Identify when it is appropriate to seek further investigation and a consultant opinion
The earlier we can assess you the more straightforward the recovery will be. Any injury management should ideally start immediately after the injury occurs.
In the event of Soft tissue injuries or Sports injuries
The application of the P.R.I.C.E. principles are essential.
Pre-Surgery Rehabilitation
Physiotherapy before elective surgery such as joint replacements will improve the outcome of your surgery dramatically. We will help you to understand what the surgery involves and what to expect after surgery. We will assess you thoroughly to identify strengths and weaknesses and then put together an exercise programme to make sure you will achieve your full potential after surgery.
This may involve:
- Increasing your joint movements and muscle strength
- Improving your core stability, balance and joint awareness as well as upper body strength
- Improving your general fitness and posture
Post-Surgery Rehabilitation
After surgery you may be in a plaster cast, brace or walking boot and may be restricted on how much pressure you are allowed to place through the joint or bone. We will guide you through your rehabilitation keeping in close contact with the specialist or medical team that you have seen.
Joint injuries and fractures
The type of treatments you will receive will depend on the type of surgery, the area of the body, when it was carried out, your normal level of function and your aims for the future. Each physiotherapy program is specifically tailored to the individual and will include:-
- effective pain management
- increase of range of movement and strength in both joints and muscles
- increase of balance, endurance and joint awareness; and
- increase of core strength, cardio vascular fitness for ability to pursue your preferred activities and sport.
The most frequent surgeries we can help you recover from are:
Knee Surgery
- Total or partial Knee Replacement.
- Arthroscopy (clean-out operations).
- Partial meniscectomy (removal of or tidy up of cartilage).
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction (ACL)`
Hip Surgery
- Hip fractures requiring surgery
- Total or partial Hip Replacement.
- Arthroscopy.
Spinal Surgery
- Discectomy (a proportion of the damaged disc is removed).
- Spinal fusion (insertion of metalwork to stabilise the spine).
Shoulder Surgery
- Acromioplasty (the undersurface of the collar bone is shaved to increase the space for thickened rotator cuff tendons).
- Rotator cuff repair (torn muscles of the rotator cuff are re-attached).
- Shoulder reconstructions (required when the shoulder has been repeatedly dislocated).
Foot and Ankle Surgery
- Bunion surgery (to correct the alignment of the big toe)
- Cheilectomy (a tidy up of the joint surfaces to allow better movement)
- Achilles Tendon repairs
The recovery from all of the above will be greatly enhanced by referral to our team of Physiotherapy specialists. Please do not hesitate to contact us for further advice and assistance.
