Post-op Physiotherapy in Cheltenham
What is post operative physio
After surgery we find patients are often very nervous in not wanting to move the involved area, whether that is their shoulder, knee, hip, back, etc., as they feel they might cause further damage. Consequently, one of the most important aspects is for the patient to check post-surgery; what they can do, and also what they can’t do.
After surgery and throughout your recovery, our experienced physiotherapists will assess your mobility, strength and function. We will then prepare a rehabilitation program that varies during recovery to match your progress and goals. We will liaise with your surgeons accordingly during your treatment with us.
One of the most common side effects post surgery is pain, you don't need to be stuck on the constant cycle of tablets, physiotherapy provides very effective pain relief.
Nerve pain after surgery
Scarring around nerves is one of the most common issues that arise after surgery, the scar tissue constricts the nerve and makes the nerve unhealthy by restricting the transport of essential chemicals. The objective of physiotherapy is to recover nerve functionality, reduce pain, and promote recovery through specific exercises that match your injury. Manual therapy techniques, such as massage and myofascial release, aim to remodel scar tissue with controlled application of pressure and friction, to generate changes in the properties of scar tissue. This potentially reduces adhesions and improves the quality of the tissue surrounding the nerve.
Shoulder pain after surgery
Shoulder surgery can be a crucial step to restoring function, reducing pain, and improving a person's quality of life. However, it’s common to experience post-operative shoulder pain, which can raise concerns and questions among patients. Physiotherapy and regular exercises will restore motion and flexibility to your shoulder and a permit a gradual return to your everyday activities.
Recovery after ankle surgery
Most foot and ankle operations require some form of physiotherapy and rehabilitation. Physiotherapy activities may be started in some cases immediately after surgery, while in other cases, it will be delayed until a cast or boot is removed. In most cases, physiotherapy activities starts after two to four weeks after ankle surgery with sessions twice a week for six to eight weeks, but everyone heals at a different rate and the recovery time after ankle surgery may vary depending on the type performed.
Physiotherapy following hip replacement
Total hip replacement (THR), or Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA), is a procedure that removes damaged bone and cartilage and replaces it with prosthetic components. THR is one of the most cost-effective and consistently successful surgeries performed in orthopedics. We are honoured to be the preferred hip surgery after care provider in the Cheltenham and surrounding Gloucestershire areas for the world-renowned surgeon Professor Damian Griffin OBE who is an internationally-recognised expert in hip arthroscopy and hip preserving surgery, who is regularly teaching and lecturing all over the world.
NICE Guidelines
Recommends rehab after surgery begins on the same day as the surgery for joint replacement patients. People undergoing hip, knee or shoulder replacement surgery should receive rehabilitation on the same day, or within 24 hours after their operation.
“Straight Back Physio were fantastic and recommended by my orthopaedic surgeon. They supported me in getting back to full fitness after spine and hip surgery. I am now happily running, horse riding and snowboarding. Great team.”
Billy, Google review
Benefits of post surgery physiotherapy
The benefits of post surgery physiotherapy are extensive.
Pain management:
Having an operation can be incredibly painful, making it difficult to move and perform daily tasks. Physiotherapy can help to alleviate this pain by improving blood flow to the affected area, reducing inflammation and releasing endorphins, the body's natural painkillers.
Improved range of motion:
After surgery, it's common to experience stiffness and limited range of motion in the affected area. This can make it challenging to perform basic tasks such as walking, reaching or bending. Physiotherapy after your operation will help to improve your range of motion by stretching and strengthening the muscles around the affected area.
Faster recovery
Getting effective physiotherapy treatment speeds up recovery after surgery by reducing swelling and inflammation, improving circulation and promoting healing. A skilled physiotherapist will help you recover faster by developing a customised rehabilitation plan, tailored to your specific needs and goals so you can get back to your normal activities swiftly.
Reduced risk of complications:
Following surgery, there is a risk of complications such as blood clots, infections or pneumonia. Physiotherapy helps reduce risk by improving circulation, strengthening the immune system and promoting healthy breathing.
Improved balance and coordination:
After an operation, it's common to experience a loss of balance and coordination. This can make it challenging to perform basic tasks such as walking or standing. Physiotherapy helps to improve your balance and coordination by strengthening the muscles that support these functions, which also reduce the risk of falls and other accidents and new injuries.
Improved quality of life:
Physiotherapy helps improve your overall quality of life, by reducing pain and stress, while improving mobility and mental health. This is especially important during the recovery process.
Benefits of rehabilitation after surgery
Our post-operative rehabilitation plans are highly individualised, tailored to suit your specific needs and goals. It could include stretches and exercises for you to do at home, targeted gym work or pilates, depending on what you need.
Whilst your operation is performed within hours, your post-operative rehabilitation may take many months or even a year, depending on your surgery. You won’t necessarily need physiotherapy for this whole time, but implementing the correct rehabilitation after surgery will put you firmly on the route to a faster and better recovery.
Successful rehabilitation after surgery involves doing the right exercises at the right time, with the right balance between not enough and too much exercise. That balance, and the intensity of stimulation, will change during the weeks and first few months after your surgery.
You can be reassured that we will design the right post-op rehabilitation program for you to ensure your tissues are being stimulated enough to recover by themselves, we will safely increase the workloads and stimuli on the repaired joint during rehabilitation to speed up the recovery process.
“The biggest problem patients face after their operation is not understanding what movement they should and shouldn’t be doing. We provide comprehensive guidance and support in this area, working with each patient to ensure they balanced strengthening their injured area with the right amount of rest. This is the recipe for success.”
Sarah Fossella, Founder and Lead Physiotherapist
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Physiotherapy is used after surgery to improve range of movement where the surgery took place and to strengthen the surrounding muscles. At Straight Back Physio our specialised physiotherapists can rehabilitate patients following surgery.
We understand that some people may want to find out a bit more about the cost before they book an appointment at our physiotherapy clinic. Our unique save as you recover packages can save you up to 20% on the cost of a single session.
For most injuries our chartered physio can usually treat you within 4 to 8 sessions.
Insured
We can either work directly with your insurance company or provide receipts for patients who use cash based plans so you can reclaim your costs.
Not Covered by Insurance
If you want see the best physiotherapist near you then book an appointment in our Cheltenham physiotherapy clinic on a self referral basis, no need to see your GP.
Why Choose Us
No other local pain relief clinic can offer you the same level of physiotherapy and rehabilitation as we can due to our experience and our in-house gym facilities. You’ll get the full benefits of physiotherapy from exactly the right combination of interventions to get you on your route to recovery.