While our dedicated orthopedists, including the Prima CARE orthopedic team, strive to offer minimally invasive treatments for musculoskeletal injuries and conditions, surgery is sometimes necessary for a complete and lasting recovery. For those who choose orthopedic surgery, physical therapy may seem like a small final step in their treatment journey.
Regardless of the type of surgery you had, physical therapy is crucial for your recovery. At Prima CARE, we emphasize the importance of physical therapy in restoring your musculoskeletal system to full function after an orthopedic procedure.
What Are The Common Causes Of Orthopedic Injuries?
Orthopedic injuries can happen to anyone, and they can affect any part of your musculoskeletal system – your bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other supporting structures. These injuries can be minor, like sprains and strains, or more serious, like fractures and dislocations.
Here's what usually causes orthopedic injuries:
- Aging
- Genetics
- Overuse
- Obesity
- Poor posture
- Trauma
Here’s why you need Orthopedic Physical Therapy:
1. Prevent Further Injury
If you’ve already received surgery to correct your musculoskeletal system after an orthopedic injury, the last thing you want is to injure yourself again. Unfortunately, having injured a bone, joint, or muscle once before can actually make that area more prone to reinjury.
Surgery is traumatic to your body in and of itself, and inactivity following the procedure can result in muscle atrophy. Without a full and effective rehabilitation period with an orthopedic physical therapist, your muscles will fail to regain the necessary strength to support your affected area, making it even more prone to further injury.
Physical therapy is absolutely essential to ensure your safe return to work, play, and other physical activities following your surgery.
2. Ease Pain, Reduce Swelling
Swelling after surgery can serve a very important purpose. Swelling is a tool the body uses to heal; white blood cells are sent to the injured area where they then release enzymes to help repair the damage. This, in turn, can cause redness, heat, and pain from all the excess blood in the area. This pain can also be an important part of healing, believe it or not.
The pain caused from the rush of blood-compressing nerves encourages us to leave the injury alone or to not use the part of our body that is injured, ideally preventing the injury from getting any worse.
However, sometimes our bodies can go a bit overboard. Simply put, swelling that happens immediately after an injury—in this case, surgery—is helpful, but late swelling can be rather harmful. Those enzymes released by the white blood cells break down tissue so that rebuilding can occur, but if they stick around for too long, those enzymes will start attacking healthy tissue, as well.
That prolonged inflammation and the pain that comes with it can cause muscle atrophy or chronic swelling. Chronic swelling causes affected tissue to become rigid, which in turn can make injuring that part of the body easier.
With the help of a physical therapist, this can be prevented. Physical therapy clinic techniques, such as electrical stimulation and therapeutic modalities, can be used to help manage this swelling and relieve pain more effectively. Certain exercises can help to decrease existing swelling as well as prevent pain from becoming a chronic issue.
3. Get Your Body Back
By the time you have orthopedic physical surgery, your body has already lost some of its functionality from the time of injury. During physical therapy, you’ll receive guidance in restoring that functionality, giving you control of your body and allowing you to return to full form. Some of the most important muscular functions physical therapy helps to restore include:
- Strength
- Mobility
- Balance
Additionally, a physical therapist can help guide you through the proper techniques for moving your affected area, which can help reduce scarring from your procedure.
4. Get Back in the Game
While not all orthopedic injuries happen as a result of athletic activity, many of them do, and if you’re an athlete, your primary goal following surgery will likely be to get back on the field, court, diamond, or wherever the game you love takes place. If you’re not an athlete, your injury and subsequent surgery has likely still been an impediment to your ability to participate actively in many of the things that make life fun.
When you take physical therapy seriously as part of your treatment, you can work with your specialist to establish specific goals geared toward helping you return to whatever makes you happy at the end of your rehabilitation period.
Receive A Top-Notch Orthopedic Physical Therapy at Prima CARE
If you're recovering from orthopedic surgery or dealing with musculoskeletal injuries, orthopedic physical therapy is a crucial step towards your full recovery. It will help repair injured muscles, improve blood flow, and promote healing. Whether you're struggling with sports-related injuries like sprains or strains or conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, physical therapy plays a vital role in restoring function and mobility.
At Prima CARE, our team of highly-trained, board-certified orthopedic surgeons are committed to providing you with the targeted treatment you need to correct your injury and make a full recovery. With their expertise and specialized knowledge, they ensure that you receive top-notch care tailored to your specific condition and goals.
Don't wait any longer to address your pain, discomfort, or loss of mobility. Schedule your appointment today at Prima CARE by calling (744)375-0504. Our skilled physical therapists will guide you through a personalized treatment plan designed to optimize your recovery journey. Experience the benefits of orthopedic physical therapy and get back to the activities you love.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will physical therapy be painful?
Physical therapy should not be excessively painful. While some discomfort may be experienced during certain exercises or manual techniques, it is important to communicate any pain or discomfort to your physical therapist. They can adjust the treatment plan accordingly to ensure your comfort and safety.
Do I need a referral from a doctor to start orthopedic physical therapy?
In many cases, a referral from a doctor is required to start orthopedic physical therapy. However, specific requirements may vary depending on insurance policies and regulations. It is recommended to check with your healthcare provider or insurance company for the necessary steps to initiate physical therapy.
Can orthopedic physical therapy help with chronic conditions?
Yes, orthopedic physical therapy can be beneficial for managing chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis, chronic pain, or repetitive strain injuries. Physical therapists can provide exercises, manual therapy, and other modalities to alleviate symptoms, improve function, and enhance quality of life.
How often should I attend orthopedic physical therapy sessions?
The frequency of orthopedic physical therapy sessions depends on various factors, including the severity of the condition, treatment goals, and individual progress. Initially, sessions may be scheduled multiple times weekly, which can gradually reduce as the patient improves.
Are there any risks associated with orthopedic physical therapy?
Orthopedic physical therapy is generally safe when performed by qualified professionals. However, there can be certain risks, such as temporary soreness, fatigue, or exacerbation of symptoms during the initial stages of therapy. It is essential to communicate with your physical therapist about any concerns or discomfort experienced during treatment.
