Rehabilitation after orthopedic surgery is designed to restore strength, mobility, and function while supporting safe healing. For many patients, surgery may be part of a broader care plan for arthritis. This is especially true when joint damage limits daily activities and non-surgical treatment is no longer effective. Here are the key steps in rehabilitation after orthopedic surgery:
Protecting and Reducing Pain
Recovery from a major surgery to treat arthritis begins immediately after the procedure and focuses on protecting the surgical site. Doctors will prescribe medication or therapies to manage pain and reduce swelling around the joint. Effective pain control allows patients to move earlier, which is fundamental for preventing stiffness and circulation issues and reducing the risks associated with conditions like arthritis.
It is helpful to follow all instructions regarding weight-bearing limits during this initial period. Keeping the area clean prevents infection, which is a key complication to avoid. The medical team will monitor progress to make sure the body is healing properly before moving to the next step.Â
Restoring Motion and Muscles
Once the initial healing has started, the focus shifts to regaining basic movement, especially after a joint replacement for arthritis. Physical therapists introduce specific movements to prevent scar tissue from limiting flexibility. Here are some of the components they may include:
- Soft Tissue Mobilization: Therapists may use manual techniques to massage muscles and reduce edema around the joint.
- Stretching Regimens: Gentle stretching helps elongate muscles that may have tightened due to inactivity or the surgery itself.
- Gait Training: For lower extremity surgeries, patients learn how to walk correctly with assistive devices to normalize their walking pattern.
- Proprioception Drills: Basic balance exercises help the body relearn where the joint is in space, which can help prevent falls.
- Electrical Stimulation: Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) may be used to help contract muscles that are difficult to activate voluntarily.
While some discomfort is normal, sharp or increasing pain may indicate that the activity is too intense. Communication with the physical therapist makes sure that the progression remains safe and effective.
Building Strength and Function
This phase marks the transition from basic healing to regaining independence that may have been limited by conditions like arthritis in daily life. Patients begin performing more active exercises that challenge the muscles surrounding the joint. Strengthening these muscles provides better support and reduces stress on the healing bones. This stage is fundamental because it helps individuals return to activities like cooking, cleaning, and driving, and progress here allows the medical team to clear patients for more complex movements.
Protecting Joints
The final stage of rehabilitation is when the patient works toward specific goals, such as returning to work or playing a sport. Here are some key strategies for maintaining long-term joint health:
- Weight Management: Maintaining a healthy weight reduces the load on weight-bearing joints, such as the hips and knees, thereby decreasing wear and tear.
- Low-Impact Exercise: Prioritizing activities like swimming or cycling keeps joints moving without excessive pounding.
- Routine Strengthening: Continuing core and limb strengthening exercises supports the skeletal structure and improves posture.
- Proper Footwear: Wearing supportive shoes can improve alignment and reduce stress on the lower extremities.
- Listen to the Body: Modifying activities when experiencing pain prevents minor issues from becoming major setbacks.
Periodic evaluations allow the medical team to monitor the implant or repair and address any new concerns early.
Schedule Your Arthritis Appointment Today
Rehabilitation is a structured and necessary process following orthopedic surgery for arthritis. Each stage in the process, beginning with protection and pain management and culminating in functional restoration, is carefully designed to build sequentially on the outcomes of the preceding phase. If you are experiencing joint pain or have questions about arthritis, contact a qualified orthopedic surgeon near you today to schedule your appointment.
