While the success of your surgery (especially of spine orthopedic surgeries) greatly depends on your surgeon’s skills, getting the best outcomes from the surgery also depends on what you do before and after the surgical procedure.
According to research, surgical rehabilitation is what you must consider when scheduling surgery to improve your ability to recuperate more quickly and completely.
Surgical rehabilitation is an exercise and therapy program performed for a particular period of time before and after the actual surgical procedure.
So, if you have an upcoming surgery and want to get in shape before it and see the best outcome of it after, read on to learn how surgical rehabilitation can help you.
Pre-Surgical Rehabilitation: What Is It?
Pre-surgical rehabilitation, also known as prehab, helps you prepare for your surgery both physically and mentally. It involves physical therapy programs that are designed to prepare your body to meet the challenging situations (surgery itself) and pave the way to smooth recovery.
For instance, if you have surgery on your neck or back, engaging for several weeks in a physical therapy program can improve strength, endurance, and flexibility before the surgery.
What Benefits Does It Hold?
Studies have documented the following benefits of choosing prehab:
- Increased confidence and stamina
- Reduced pain and inflammation
- Improved range of motion
- A better understanding of exercises that you will perform the following surgery
- Improved muscular control of injured part
- Fewer complications following surgery due to improved immunity and strength
- Reduced post-surgical rehab sessions
Post-Surgical Rehabilitation: What Is It?
Start your post-rehabilitation session as soon as your surgeon gives you a signal. You can start it from a few hours to a few days following the surgery, depending on the immobilization period.
Post-operative rehabilitation is specifically designed to speed up healing and restore your strength and range of motion without re-injuring your repaired part.
If needed, during your post-surgical rehab session, your physical therapist will teach you recovery skills, such as how to safely get in and out of a chair, move on in the bed, and use assistive devices like walker or crutches.
What Benefits Does It Hold?
There are many benefits you can reap by choosing post-operative rehab. Post-op rehab can help:
- Speed up a quick and smooth recovery
- Reduce chances of injury reoccurrence
- Regain strength and range of motion
- Reverse any functional loss
- Strengthen weakened and unused muscles
- Address post-op pain and inflammation
- Resume normal activities of living
- Minimize scar tissue formation
Physical Therapy in Rochester Hills Michigan
At Ahlgren Spine, our board-certified spine surgeon Dr. Ahlgren will refer you to experienced and skilled physical therapists who will consider pre-op fitness state and post-op goals and develop a surgical rehabilitation plan designed specifically for your type of surgery. Your rehabilitation plan will include specific exercises you will do on-site under the supervision of a physical therapist, and exercises for you to do at home.
To learn more about surgical rehabilitation or spine surgery, contact us today at (248) 215-8080 or request an appointment online.
