Unfortunately we see alot of clients who are looking for a second opinion who have not had an optimal outcome following Surgery.
And I hear of some Orthopaedic Surgeons following joint, bone, ligament or other surgeries who don’t recommend seeing a Physio post-operatively. Why is this you may wonder?
I would suggest it is usually related to:
- not having a good understanding of exactly how much a Physio can help and how we contribute to getting positive outcomes from their surgery
- not trusting in Physiotherapy skills
- thinking they get good outcomes post-surgery without the need for Physio. Quite regularly a surgeon will discharge you from their care thinking they have achieved a “positive surgical outcome” because you now have a stable joint, or a replaced joint/ ligament, a repaired structure or an xray/MRI that looks “well-algined”. But Physio’s understand that a “positive outcome” is more than a stable joint or reduced pain- we know you have more you want to be able to do or achieve.
We see the people who come post-operatively saying:
- “but I still have some pain”, or
- “I now feel stable but I now can’t reach up to the washing line”, or
- “I’m now pain-free but I still can’t run”.
In my experience, some Surgeons are not good at asking about your goals and the function that is important to you to return to.
As advanced, quality Physiotherapists who have experience across all types of Orthopaedic surgeries, we see the unwanted complications from NOT seeing a Physio post-operatively.
In 99% of cases following surgery, you will experience stiffness, weakness, compensatory movement strategies, or even on-going pain. Very rarely does surgery on its own return you to the full, unlimited function that you want.
Physio can help address all these issues. We make sure we understand your goal following surgery- which may include returning to life’s daily activities without pain, a return to work or a return to social or competitive sport:
- Physio’s understand how to help you get your flexibility and range of motion back to achieve your goal.
- Physio’s understand the specific movement and strength deficits that come from your original injury and surgery, and how to manage unwanted compensations.
And Physio’s most definitely understand how to safely guide you back to your preferred activities.
So what do we recommend you do if your Surgeon says you shouldn’t need to see a Physio post-operatively? We recommend you come and still see us for an opinion anyway.
- We will always work within any guidelines your surgeon has given you
- We will always keep you safe
- We will always communicate with you, respectfully educate you and answer any questions you have
- And if needed, we can communicate with your surgeon to improve their trust in using good quality Physio’s to support your needs post-operatively to make sure you get the absolute best outcomes possible, and we can ask any questions you may have of the surgeon that you haven’t had the opportunity to ask.
So can we help you following Orthopaedic Surgery? Most definitely yes!
Phone us on 07 55006470 or Book Online for your appointment.
Written by APA Sports & Exercise Physio Britt Caling
