The primary goal for your medical team, after any orthopaedic surgery is to get you back to your normal life as soon and as smoothly as possible. This is where orthopaedic physical therapy plays a pivotal role. It is an essential element of your rehabilitation journey. By focusing on restoring strength, mobility, and function, physical therapy aims to optimise recovery and enhance the overall quality of life for patients.

What Is Orthopaedic Physical Therapy?

Orthopaedic therapy is a specialised branch of physical therapy that focuses on treating musculoskeletal conditions. This includes injuries and surgeries related to bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons. It involves various therapeutic techniques, exercises, and manual therapy to restore movement, reduce pain, and improve function.

In simple terms, orthopaedic therapy is a rehabilitation programme designed to help patients regain their mobility and strength after injuries, surgeries, or chronic conditions that have affected their musculoskeletal system. Physical therapists use targeted exercises, hands-on therapy, and advanced equipment to speed up recovery and prevent further complications.

Why Is Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Important After Surgery?

Orthopaedic surgery recovery requires more than just resting. Rehabilitation is crucial to prevent stiffness, weakness, and long-term complications. Physical therapy plays a key role in ensuring a successful recovery.

Some of the main purposes of orthopaedic physical therapy include:

• Restoring Mobility: Surgery often results in stiffness. Therapy ensures the joints and muscles regain their flexibility.
• Reducing Pain and Swelling: Therapeutic exercises and modalities such as ultrasound therapy help manage post-surgical discomfort.
• Rebuilding Strength: Surgery weakens muscles. A structured rehabilitation programme helps regain muscle strength.
• Preventing Blood Clots: Early movement reduces the risk of complications such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
• Enhancing Balance and Coordination: Therapy helps restore body balance and prevents falls or re-injury.
• Improving Surgical Outcomes: Following a post-surgery rehabilitation plan increases the chances of a successful recovery.

Types of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy

Orthopaedic physical therapy does not follow a one-size-fits-all approach. It is customised based on the patient’s condition, type of surgery, and personal recovery goals. Some common types of orthopaedic physical therapy include:

Pre-Surgical Physical Therapy

Pre-Surgical Physical Therapy or prehab is done before surgery to strengthen muscles, improve flexibility, educate a patient on post-operative exercises, and reduce recovery time.

Post-Surgical Rehabilitation

Post-operative physical therapy can begin soon after or a few weeks later depending on the surgery. It includes mobility exercises, strength training, pain management techniques, and functional training for daily activities.

Manual Therapy

This involves hands-on techniques such as soft tissue mobilisation, joint manipulation, and massage to relieve pain, improve blood circulation, and restore function.

Gait Training and Balance Therapy

After surgeries such as hip or knee replacements, patients often struggle with walking. Gait training focuses on improving walking patterns, posture, and balance with or without assistive devices such as crutches or walkers.

Strength and Conditioning Therapy

To rebuild lost muscle mass and strength after surgery, therapists incorporate progressive resistance training using weights, resistance bands, and bodyweight exercises.

Pain Management Therapy

Pain is a common concern after surgery. Orthopaedic physical therapists use techniques such as:

• Heat and Cold Therapy to reduce swelling and pain
• Electrical Stimulation or TENS to block pain signals
• Ultrasound Therapy to improve healing and reduce inflammation

Sports Rehabilitation

Athletes who undergo orthopaedic surgeries require a specialised therapy plan to return to their sport safely. This includes sports-specific exercises, agility training, and endurance building.

Posture and Ergonomic Training

Improper posture can delay recovery. Therapists educate patients on correct body mechanics, ergonomic adjustments, and lifestyle modifications to prevent further injuries.

Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Exercises

Exercises are the centre point of any orthopaedic rehabilitation programme. They help restore mobility, strength, and function. Here are some essential orthopaedic physical therapy exercises for different post-surgical conditions:

The Phases of Recovery in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy

Recovery after orthopaedic surgery takes place in phases:

Phase 1: Acute Phase (0-2 Weeks Post-Surgery)

This involves managing pain and reducing swelling. Orthopaedic physical therapy at this stage usually involves gentle exercises that can improve mobility. You may be asked to use assistive devices if necessary.

Phase 2: Sub-Acute Phase (2-6 Weeks Post-Surgery)

Gentle movement and exercises begin to restore mobility, strength, and flexibility while preventing stiffness. Progressive resistance exercises help rebuild strength, endurance, and stability to support the injured area.

Phase 3: Advanced Rehabilitation (6-12 Weeks Post-Surgery)

As you progress to an advanced stage, the programme will focus on strength training with a focus on functional exercises for daily activities and include endurance-building exercises in your workout routine.

Phase 4: Return to Normal Activities (3-6 Months Post-Surgery)

After an injury, it is important to receive sports-specific training if needed, return to normal daily activities, and continue stretching and strength exercises to maintain progress and prevent future injuries.

Sources:

• https://www.occmedpartners.com/blog/the-4-stages-of-physical-rehabilitation-treatment/
• https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/recovery/hip-conditioning-program
• https://bostonconciergeorthopedics.com/physical-therapy-exercises-for-shoulder/
• https://www.healthline.com/health/types-of-physical-therapy#techniques
• https://highsurgery.com/importance-of-physical-therapy-after-orthopedic-surgery/
• https://www.southwoodshealth.com/blog/benefits-of-physical-therapy-after-orthopaedic-surgery/
• https://midamortho.com/the-stages-of-physical-therapy-initial-assessment-to-recovery/