“Surgery” sounds like a big deal that everyone fears because it’s not just about preparing (mentally) but also about worrying about the pain that may occur during and after the surgery, as well as the recovery time and how much the body can return to normal. If you are concerned about these things, “post-surgical physical therapy” might be the answer.
Post-surgical Physical Therapy: An Important Step Not to Be Overlooked
Every surgery has details that the patient may never know. Even if all the surgical details have been provided, patients and their families may still have questions. Therefore, whether the body recovers well, quickly, or slowly after surgery depends on specialists in this field. Receiving advice and care from a physical therapist after surgery is very beneficial. “If a patient undergoes foot bone surgery, they will be advised on how to start bearing weight, how to stand, and how to walk using assistive devices periodically, in coordination with the attending physician until the desired outcome is achieved. The first focus of physical therapy may indeed be rehabilitation, but it must be combined with prevention. The physical therapist will observe the patient’s behavior, advise on precautions, and provide protection for both the patient and their family in every surgery.”
Different Surgery Sites, Different Physical Therapy Methods… or Not?
Although the surgical sites differ, the approach to physical therapy is generally not very different because physical therapy follows clear steps. The goal is to help the patient recover as quickly as possible, be able to move independently as much as possible, and avoid injury, recurrence, or other factors that delay recovery. The differences lie more in the methods. “The physical therapist must assess what complications might arise from the surgery and what problems may follow, and how to ensure the treatment proceeds as planned. For example, a patient who has undergone heart surgery must wait for the body to recover, but afterward, the patient will have a relatively large chest wound, which may cause anxiety and prevent them from returning to normal life, both in terms of breathing and movement, due to fear of affecting the chest wound and the operated heart. The physical therapist will focus on breathing exercises first, followed by body movement. In the case of bone and joint surgery, emphasis will be placed on movement and weight-bearing.” Regardless of the surgical site, the physical therapist’s role is to ensure the patient improves without injury and avoids recurrence.
