Orthopaedic Surgery & Physiotherapy

By Physiotherapist Belle Turner

What is Orthopaedic surgery?

Orthopaedic surgery is any surgery performed primarily on the musculoskeletal system of the body. Common orthopaedic surgeries you may have heard of are joint replacements and reconstructions, such as total hip replacements, total knee replacements, shoulder reconstructions, ACL and PCL reconstructions, and more!

Where does Physiotherapy come into play?

Physiotherapists play a large role in the recovery from these kinds of surgeries, especially in the more extensive operations, such as total hip or knee replacements.

It is not unusual to wake up in the hospital a few hours post-op knee replacement, hip replacement or shoulder reconstruction to your hospital-based physio asking you to get out of bed for the first time. This may seem daunting and entirely too early, however there is very well researched evidence for why getting out of bed early is so important: your speedy return to normal health and wellbeing!

The early focus of Physiotherapy in this settling is to:

• Restore range of movement
• Improvement in the function of the affected joint
• Encourage appropriate pain management compliance including icing.

Once in the community setting your recovery will be measured and monitored, goals will be discussed and set, and you will be given an exercise program created to achieve those goals.

Physiotherapists use a variety of treatment methods to assist post-operative orthopaedic surgery patients in achieving their goals. These include:

• soft tissue work
• stretching
• hydrotherapy
• manual therapy
• gym-based exercise

Recovery from orthopaedic surgery can take up to 12 to 18 months. During this time, it is not unusual to experience bouts of pain and swelling; however, these episodes should reduce the further into rehabilitation you progress.

Many post-operative orthopaedic surgery patients can expect to return to a normal life following a period of rehabilitation guided by a physiotherapist. This includes returning to some sport and regular exercise!

Who should I book with?

All of our Physiotherapy team are highly qualified and experienced in orthopaedic conditions, early post-surgery, and the rehabilitation phase. Be sure to let the receptionist and your physiotherapist know when and what your surgery was. Your Physiotherapist will guide you on the treatments needed, such as home exercise, taping, massage, and/or dry needling.

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