Contributed by: Andrew Lantz, PT, DPT, orthopaedic clinical specialist (OCS), CSCS, CMTPT
At RTC, we are here for all of your pre and post-operative needs. As you may know, Physical Therapy plays a crucial role in preparing you for surgery and the recovery after surgery. Andrew, Becca, and Tara are all experts in pre and post-operative care. They all have worked alongside orthopaedic surgeons in the past making RTC the premier location for pre- and post-operative care. Whether you are a high school, college, or professional athlete trying to get back in the game or just trying to get back to simple activities that have become harder around your home, we are here to help.
Pre-operative physical therapy focuses on improving mobility and strength in the specific area or joint to be operated on as well as the joints and muscles around the targeted area in order to improve surgical outcomes. Patients who participate in pre-operative therapy typically see a reduced post-operative recovery time which also means cost savings. There are even times when we see dramatic improvements in both pain and function, meaning surgery is no longer needed.
Of course, surgery is at times necessary, and as mentioned before, all of the therapists here at RTC are here for your rehabilitation needs during your recovery. Physical Therapy following surgery, especially, orthopedic surgery is backed up by science. Our goal is to get you moving and back into the swing of things as soon as possible. In the early phases our goal is to educate you on your role in recovery. This includes information on how long you may need to protect your joint(s) with the use of immobilization, how to decrease pain and sensitivity with manual therapy techniques and modalities, and getting you to start gently moving the surgical area if indicated by your surgeon. As time progresses, we will ask you to participate in active range of motion, strengthening and functional exercises to simulate daily tasks, vocational duties, or sporting activities that you enjoy while minimizing discomfort to make sure you are ready to take on life.
If you have any questions regarding pre- or post-surgical care or would like to have a free phone consultation with one of our physical therapists, please email us info@restorativetherapyco.com or call 757-578-2958 for more details.