Do You Need Physical Therapy After Surgery?

When you have surgery to correct an injury, or a problem that has been in a joint for a long time, the surgeon fixes the injury….or the problem that is causing the immediate pain or limitation. Yes, the surgeon fixed the injury. But, there are reasons why you should seek Physical Therapy after surgery.

1) Surgery is traumatic to the body. Physical Therapy helps with your normal healing process and helps to reduce swelling, decrease pain, and to improve motion and strength in the surgical area.

2) What caused the problem in the first place? Many injuries are traumatic, but many are caused by muscle imbalances and problems with overuse. Physical Therapy can help identify the imbalances that caused you to have the injury in the first place, and help prevent future injury to the area.

3)Improved Outcomes with Physical Therapy and exercise. A 2014 study looked at people that had knee surgery (Arthroscopy) and compared a group that had medically supervised exercises versus a group that did not. The group that underwent formal medical supervised exercise had superior outcomes than the non-exercise group at 3 months and One year after surgery. *

• Osteras, H., Osteras, B., & Tortstensen, T.A.(2014). Is postoperative exercise necessary in patients with degenerative meniscus? A randomized controlled trial with one year follow up. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc, 22, 200-206.
  Too many people suffer from pain conditions that are treatable. For more information about Physical Therapy and what Physical Therapists can do for you visit www.BodycentralPT.net or call (520)325-4002 to schedule an appointment.
  Dr. Jennifer Allen is a Board Certified Clinical Specialist in the areas of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, and is a Certified Hand Therapist. She is a co-founder of Bodycentral Physical Therapy and the Ultimate Sports Asylum in Tucson, Arizona.