Following surgery it is important to rehabilitate properly to regain strength and flexibility in the operated region. Physiotherapy management after surgery involves a programme to regain any loss of movement; this often includes manual treatment to mobilise stiff joints and soft tissue treatment to the operated area, once it has healed. This improves the quality of the scar and underlying tissue and helps it to move normally over the muscle and connective tissue underneath, which helps reduce pain and increase flexibility. A progressive strengthening program, within pain levels, helps restore strength and control of the region in order to prevent re0ccurrence of the problem.
The types of surgery procedures that greatly benefit from physiotherapy are:
- Shoulder surgery
- Knee surgery
- Joint replacements
- Ankle surgery and reconstructions
- Spinal surgery.
