Post-Surgical Rehab
Post-surgical physical therapy restores motion, strength and safe movement after an operation, and prehab before surgery helps you start from a stronger place. Joint Effort Physical Therapy provides physical therapy after surgery in Hot Springs, Arkansas, working within your surgeon’s protocol.
Getting your life back after an operation
Even a minor surgery is a stress on the body. The days and weeks afterward bring pain, swelling, stiffness and limits on what you can do, and you may need to relearn things like walking, climbing stairs, dressing and getting in and out of a car.
Our physical therapist teaches you how to do those tasks safely while following your surgeon’s guidelines, and may suggest adaptive tools to help while your movement is limited. Those guidelines can include hip precautions, spine precautions, sternal precautions or limits on putting weight through the limb.
Rehab for the surgeries we see
Your PT follows your surgeon’s protocol and keeps the surgeon updated as you progress.
Knee and hip
Knee replacement rehab and hip replacement rehab follow a surgeon’s guidelines. See total joint replacement and the pages on knee pain and hip pain.
Shoulder
Rehab after shoulder surgery, including rotator cuff repair rehab, begins gently and builds up. See shoulder pain.
Ligament and meniscus
ACL surgery rehab, MCL and meniscus repair all start with swelling control and motion, then progress to strength and sport. See sports injury rehab.
Spine
Spinal fusion rehab and rehab after other spine surgery protects the surgical site while restoring safe movement. See back pain.
Foot, ankle and hand
Foot and ankle repairs and hand surgeries, such as carpal tunnel release, call for careful motion and scar work.
Other surgeries
If your operation is not listed, ask. Our physical therapist works from your surgeon’s instructions.
How we help you recover
A plan is built for you, with tools chosen to match your stage of healing.
Range of motion and exercise
Targeted stretches and progressive exercise restore motion, then strength, in stages set by your surgeon’s protocol.
Swelling and scar tissue
Swelling management and scar mobilization using manual therapy and myofascial release help the area move more freely.
Pain and healing support
Depending on your stage, we may use deep tissue laser therapy, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, joint mobilization, and a home exercise program.
Strength with less load
Blood flow restriction training can build muscle with lighter loads when your protocol limits heavy weight.
Walking and daily tasks
Gait training, stairs, and getting in and out of a car or chair, practiced until they feel safe.
Pre-surgical rehab: getting stronger before the operation
Prehab starts physical therapy before surgery. The goal is to be as strong, flexible and fit as you can be on the day, so you can regain function more smoothly afterward. Starting a few weeks ahead also lets you learn the exercises you will use during recovery, and a plan can ease some of the nerves that come with a surgery date.
Prehab can also ease pain, improve motion and movement patterns, and build stamina before the operation. If your condition improves a lot with therapy, talk to your doctor about your options; that decision is between you and your doctor. Many people with joint wear start here: see arthritis.
You can usually choose where you do PT
Many patients do not realize that they can usually choose which clinic provides their therapy after surgery, and you do not have to use the one a hospital suggests. If you are planning surgery in Hot Springs, Arkansas, call us early. We can walk you through your options, and you can read about the plans we work with.
Post-surgical and pre-surgical rehab care in Hot Springs, Arkansas
Joint Effort Physical Therapy treats Post-surgical and pre-surgical rehab at our Hot Springs clinic, 1880 Airport Rd., Suite C.
Not sure whether your plan needs a referral? Call us. As a courtesy, we verify your health benefits before you arrive.
Meet the people who treat you on our team page.