Rehabilitation Before and After Orthopaedic Surgery
Rehabilitation is a cornerstone of recovery following joint replacements and ligament or tendon reconstructions; both before and after surgery. Studies show that exercise before joint replacements and reconstructions leads to short term improvements in early post operative pain and function, early mobility and return to activities of daily life, and rehabilitation following joint replacements and reconstructions aims to restore function, reduce pain, and improve quality of life quicker.
Our clinicians at Stratford Health Hub are passionate about this topic. Years of experience in orthopaedic rehabilitation have shown us that it is really not that simple as it is made out to be. Just exercise they say. But what type of exercise is required, and how much should you be doing, where do you start, are you doing too much or too little, how do you progress and what is realistic to aim for at what stage of your recovery? And is it good that you are losing weight after surgery if you are not feeling hungry?
This is where we come in.
- Our physiotherapist Joyce will conduct a baseline assessment before and after surgery, focussing on your joint range of movement, muscle strength, posture, strength & balance and mobility. Joyce will then discuss the overall rehab plan & focus with you and provide hands on treatment where required, give you some exercises to do at home, monitor your wound healing and help to reduce stiffness and pain.
- Our exercise physiologist Joel will assess your current exercise capacity, functional mobility and physical conditioning and will design an exercise program to rebuild strength, range of movement and mobility and guide you through trough the hardest 3 months and beyond to regain full function. Together with Joyce they will ensure consistent and complimentary care.
- Jen, our dietician will address any post-surgery weight loss, which often includes loss of muscle mass and will guide you through the changed nutritional needs post-surgery.
We work together with your orthopaedic surgeons and their teams; communicate with them, so when you see them, they already know how you are going.