Post-operative rehabilitation
Post-operative Rehabilitation is a crucial process that involves many physiotherapy sessions and exercises to help the patient get better and resume normal physical activities and improve the quality of life.
In most cases, we also recommend pre-surgery physiotherapy as it helps patients recover faster after surgery, specifically, increasing joint movements and reducing swelling following an initial injury.
What is Post-op rehab?
Post-op rehabilitation is a post-surgical programme of re-establishing joint motion, muscle strength around the joint and finally, joint function. Post-op rehab takes place after surgery.
When do I need Post-op rehab?
Anyone who has had surgery and is experiencing stiffness, pain, muscle weakness, reduced balance and coordination, reduced mobility, low exercise tolerance and decreased independence will need a post-op rehabilitation programme after being discharged from the hospital. Surgery can have both physical and psychological effects, which can influence your recovery and cause frustration and anxiety. Post-op rehab can help address these issues to help you heal faster.
What to expect
Alewyn will carry out a full assessment and work with you to create short and long-term goals to help you to maximise your recovery. He also aims to reduce any secondary problems to surgery.
Physiotherapy after surgery usually starts immediately in the hospital. However, once you’ve been discharged, you will need to continue physiotherapy to achieve the best possible recovery. Alewyn will encourage you to carry out a range of exercises to strengthen and mobilise any affected muscles and joints. These exercises will also help to improve circulatory or respiratory problems that may have developed in the hospital. We’ll also measure improvement over time and recommend the next steps, if any.
Request Appointment
Contact Information
- 12 Molteno Road, Oranjezicht, Cape Town, 8001
- [email protected]
- 021 423 6043
- Mon - Thu: 8.30-17.00
