Doctor On Call: The Importance of Rehab After Surgery

There are over a million hip and knee replacements performed each year in the U.S. and anyone who’s had orthopedic surgery knows rehab is a must.

Stillman Brown from Ascension Outpatient Rehabilitation joined News On 6 to help us understand what to expect after orthopedic surgery.

When to Start Physical Therapy?

The timing of your first physical therapy appointment can vary, but it's typically scheduled between 2 and 4 weeks after your surgery.

“At that first visit, at Ascension Physical Therapy, we are patient-centered, which means we're going to get to know you, get to know your story and goals for PT,” explains Dr. Brown.

From there, the physical therapist will assess your range of motion and strength and create a personalized rehabilitation plan to help you regain function and get back to the activities you love.

Managing Pain and Swelling

One of the top priorities in early physical therapy is managing post-surgery pain and inflammation.

“Especially after a joint replacement surgery, people usually experience a lot of swelling and discomfort, so our first priority is to help them control their pain and that nflammation. That's a normal process of recovery,” says Dr. Brown.

The therapists use hands-on techniques and prescribe appropriate exercises to restore the range of motion. But the real work happens at home.

“Every visit is going to end with some homework,” Brown said.

Making the Most of Physical Therapy

Consistency is key, both in attending your PT appointments and doing the prescribed exercises at home.

“Your body wants to heal itself; it just needs the right help along the way,“ encourages Dr. Brown. “Every day you exercise at home, you're helping nudge it toward wellness.”

Considering Surgery?

For those contemplating orthopedic surgery, Dr. Brown offers reassurance.

“People hear surgery, and they're scared, and that's understandable, but surgery for a joint replacement is the number three reason Americans get surgery. They're very safe, they're very routine procedures, and after somebody makes that decision, they generally have less pain, more mobility, and a better quality of life,” life,” said Brown.