Post-surgery physical rehabilitation is enormously important. In addition to alleviating pain and strengthening the muscles, it also assists the patient in returning to normal living with correct and appropriate postures. Most of the time, orthopedic surgeries make it impossible for the patient to effectively assist himself or herself at first, and if some cases require the insertion of artificial devices in their joints, extra care will be needed when changing positions while performing various activities.
Rehabilitative Care After Spinal Surgery
Days 1-2 After Surgery
- Practice breathing in and out deeply for about 10 times while expelling mucus every time. Continue to do this for 2 hours.
- Within 2 days after surgery, exercise both ankles by raising and lowering the ankles and rotating the ankles in a circle. Continue to do this for 10 times per session to move the joints and improve strength and flexibility to prevent obstructive blood clots.
Days 2-3 After Surgery
- Exercise the thigh muscles by lying down horizontally and flexing the knee muscles and pressing the knees down as low as possible. Then raise the ankles up and count 1-10 before relaxing the muscles. Perform 3 sets per day at 15-20 repetitions per set.
- Exercise both arms by slowly lifting light sand bags weighing 0.5-1 kilograms while alternating between each side.
Days 4-5 After Surgery: Back Exercises
- Lie flat with the knees raised on both sides and the arms against the body. Flex the abdominal muscles while pressing the back toward the mattress. Continue flexing for 5 seconds, followed by resting. Repeat the movements for 10 times.
- Lie flat with the knees raised on both sides and bend the hip and knee joints while keeping the arms against the body. Lift the head and upper torso while flexing the abdominal muscles for 5 seconds. Repeat the movements for 10 times.
- Lie flat with the knees raised on both sides. Use the hands to bend the knees. Have the knees be as close as bearable to the chest and then release. Alternate between sides, and perform about 10 repetitions per side. Each exercise technique also depends on the type and method of surgery. Therefore, you should consult your surgeon, rehabilitative medicine doctor or physical therapist before exercising.
For sitting up, standing and walking, you should perform the correct movements, for example, by starting with getting up to sit by 30-45 degrees before eventually sitting straight at 90 degrees. Some types of surgeries require the use of a back brace while sitting, standing or walking, and older patients might also require the help of a wheelchair at first.
After Discharge
- Control body weight to remain within the normal range.
- Exercise the back muscles.
- Perform the correct movements when sitting, walking, standing, looking down and looking up.
- Avoid heavy work in the beginning stages of recovery.
- Consult a doctor after experiencing abnormal symptoms and strictly follow the doctor’s recommendations.
Rehabilitative Care After Hip Replacement Surgery
The staff will give advice on how to prevent joint dislocation. In most cases where surgery was performed by the posterior direction or lateral direction, you should avoid bending the hip for more than 90 degrees, closing the hip joint and rotating the hip across the body’s midline. Accordingly, this depends on the surgical technique used, and the prohibitions and precautions for the first 3 months after hip replacement surgery are as follows:
- Do not sleep cross-legged and do not sleep on your side without a pillow inserted between the legs.
- Do not sit cross-legged or with the legs crossed.
- Do not bend the back to pick up objects.
- Do not lean the body backwards. Instead, turn the entire body in order to change directions.
- Perform breathing exercises and start exercising the muscles around the hip joints while lying flat without moving the joints. This is known as isometric exercise.
- Practice strengthening both arms and legs with the consultation of a rehabilitative medicine and physical therapy team.
- Practice walking with the assistance of a weight bearing device that suits the surgical procedure used.
Rehabilitative Care for Patients with Broken Bones and Joint Dislocation
- Keep the broken body part elevated to improve the return of venous blood back to the heart.
- Move the body parts that are still normal in order to reduce swelling.
- Exercise the normal joints to prevent locked joints.
- Exercise to strengthen muscles.
- Practice walking with the assistance of an appropriate device. In the beginning, it is necessary to practice walking without putting weight on the broken arms or legs. A brace or walking device can be used appropriately for each type of broken bone. Walking exercises will continue until bones begin to fuse, after which more weight can be gradually added to the broken limbs.
Rehabilitative Care After Knee Replacement Surgery
- Start performing exercises to build muscles such as the quadriceps and hamstrings in order to improve knee stability.
- Gradually increase the range of motion of the knees from 0 to 110 degrees or more. Perhaps a device can be used to help expand the range of motion such as a CPM.
- Walk with the assistance of a device by partially, or if there is no pain, fully putting weight on the affected limb or limbs.
