Post-Operative Care
Post-Operative Care At Dublin Chiropractic & Physiotherapy
At Dublin Chiropractic & Physiotherapy, we offer physiotherapy after orthopaedic surgery, such as a total knee replacement.
Post-surgical physiotherapy aims to reduce post-operative pain and swelling and restore mobility and strength of the operated area.
For more information about our Treatments & Relief or to book your consultation, call us at (01) 575 2623 or visit our contact page.
What Causes Post-operative Pain?
Post-operative pain is partly caused by inflammation. Your body has just got through a lot of change in a very quick period of time, it is very normal to feel pain and fatigue as your body recoveries and adapts.
The first adaptation your body will go through in the healing process is the inflammatory phase – this is the few days post-op when you feel the most pain and have the most swelling. The second adaptation your body will go through is forming scar tissue. Scar tissue quickly formed, a quick fix, it is not very organized or functional tissue. It is very tough and fibrous. And often restricts mobility. That is where physical therapy comes in.
The Importance Of Physical Therapy Post-Surgery
Post-operative physiotherapy is an important part of recovery for many operations.
Physiotherapy aims to reduce post-operative pain and swelling, improve range of motion and strengthen weakened muscles.
After post-operative surgery, it is very common to have pain and restrictions in range of motion. Your physiotherapist at Dublin Chiropractic & Physiotherapy will help you get your body moving again with a combination of joint mobilizations and massage therapy and a graded and gradual exercise program that is tailored specifically for your post-surgery recovery.
Post-surgery treatment can be difficult at times but our team will support you through it.
What Will My Post-Surgery Journey Look Like?
Your post-surgery journey will vary depending on the surgery you have had. Every post-operative physical therapy treatment plan is personalised to your specific injury and post-op recovery needs, so it’s difficult to give an exact timeline of what that will look like. Your surgeon may refer you to a private physiotherapist or to the hospital’s outpatient physiotherapy service for a rehabilitation program. Always follow your surgeon’s instructions.
Your physiotherapist will follow your surgeon’s guidance on things such as when full weight bearing can begin and what movements are safe to perform.
The first step is to reduce pain and swelling, slowly wean off pain medication, and prevent secondary complications, like infections and stiffness of surrounding joints. This is done with good wound hygiene, deep and slow breathing exercises, elevating the affected limb, frequent light activity (for example walking for 5 minutes every 30 minutes), and gently exercises the non-operated limbs and joints (for example throwing a ball with the non-operative shoulder) so they stay nice and healthy and strong.
Once you are walking around (with or without walking aids) feeling a little stronger, your eating and drinking with no side effects, you will be discharged from the hospital. A hospital physiotherapist may give you a few exercises to do at home to already start strengthening the operative area.
Over the next few days, it is normal to feel pain and increased swelling. Some light activity and keeping the limb elevated will help.
Post-operative Care At Dublin Chiropractic & Physiotherapy
Each post-surgery scenario is different and we tailor our treatment programs to your needs.
We offer post-operative physiotherapy after orthopaedic surgery, and also see related problems such as post-traumatic arthritis or frozen shoulder.
There are many different types of post-operative physical therapy treatments available post-surgery. For example, range of motion exercises aim to improve flexibility and function in your affected limb after surgery.
Post postoperative physical therapy includes gentle stretching movements for new joints or tissues located near scar tissue so they can be mobilized in a safe and effective manner. Your post-operative physical therapy treatment plan will include specific activities to help improve your strength, balance, coordination, endurance, and function so you can get back out there as soon as possible!
Book a Physiotherapy Appointment
Call us on(01) 575 2623 or schedule an appointment online to continue your post-operative physiotherapy care.
Visit Us In Dun Laoghaire, Dublin Ireland
Our physical therapy & other services extend throughout Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown including Blackrock, Cherrywood, Stillorgan, Rathfarnham, Shankill, Cabinteely, Foxrock, Clonskeagh, and Killiney.
Our office is located just outside the center of Dun Laoghaire and is between Deansgrange and Monkstown. You can find our building entrance on Lower Mounttown Road, across from Woodland Park. We are a 30-second walk from Dublin Bus stop 2031 which is outside of Mccormick’s Pub.