RECUPERATING FROM INJURIES & SURGERY
The body’s joints can move in some impressive directions and even (in the case of the hips and knees) hold your body weight steady as you stand and move. Unfortunately, their complexity also opens the door for many potential forms of injury and damage. Joint damage can take the form of torn cartilage, ruptured ligaments, and degenerative changes. Chronic joint damage may develop over many years, resulting in worn cartilage, inflamed and/or deformed joint components, and even painful bone-on-bone friction within the joint. Significant joint degeneration and arthritis can make everyday activities impossible. Regardless of the nature of your injuries (i.e., acute or chronic), if your damaged joint doesn’t respond to medication, exercise, and lifestyle changes, you may need to resort to surgery. Two primary types of orthopedic (joint) surgery include: Arthroscopic surgery: Many injuries force the need for arthroscopic surgery. Examples include a torn rotator cuff in the shoulder, torn cartilage, and/or ruptured ligaments in the knee. In some procedures, the damaged tissues are reconnected to their anchor points and grafted into place to substitute the original tissues. Total joint replacements: Total joint replacements may be necessary when the original joint has received so much damage or wear and tear that you can do nothing more than treat it. This need often applies to weight-bearing joints that have been subjected to longstanding or abnormal stress. Common examples include total knee replacements and total hip replacements.
PHYSICAL THERAPY TECHNIQUES TO GET YOU MOVING AGAIN
As tempting as it might be to rest and lay low following your surgery, you need to start working on your rehabilitation as soon as you can to avoid complications or health issues. Physical therapy offers a safe, professionally supervised plan for doing just that. Research shows that patients who undergo physical therapy are better at balancing, getting out of chairs, climbing stairs, and walking than patients who received standard post-operative care.
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