Orthopedic rehabilitation: How does it work?
Physical therapy plays a crucial role in helping individuals recover from orthopedic injuries or surgery. Orthopedic physical therapy can aid in your recovery by addressing pain, restoring mobility, improving strength, and enhancing your overall function.
Here are ways our physical therapists will work with you in your rehabilitation:
Assessment and Diagnosis
- We will assess your condition to determine the extent of your injury and identify any structural or movement-related issues.
Pain Management
- We will use manual therapy, modalities (such as electrical stimulation, heat, ice, compression therapy), and corrective exercises to alleviate pain and inflammation.
Range of Motion Restoration
- Injuries can limit your joint mobility. Based on what we find in our assessment, we will use specific manual techniques and design specific exercises to gradually increase your range of motion and flexibility.
Strength Training
- Weak muscles often contribute to orthopedic injuries by promoting faulty movement patterns. We will create a program to target specific muscle groups to regain strength and stability, which can prevent future injuries.
Balance and Coordination
- Rehabilitation exercises help improve your balance and coordination (especially in the case of ligament sprains) which will reduce the risk of future injuries.
Gait and Functional Training
- If your injury has affected your ability to walk or perform activities that are important for you, we will work with you to restore your functioning.
Postural Correction
- Poor posture can exacerbate orthopedic issues by putting strain on certain body regions. We will help you develop better posture habits to relieve that strain.
Education
- We will educate you about your injuries throughout the process and teach you how to manage your condition.
It’s important to stay committed to your rehabilitation program to achieve the best possible outcome. The duration of physical therapy varies depending on the severity of the injury, and rarely resolves completely in one session. Consistent effort, collaboration, and communication with your therapist are key to a successful recovery.
