Post Surgical Rehabilitation in Kirkwood, MO. Surgery, whether voluntary or necessary, is a crucial event in your life. While the surgery is intended to assist you, it can leave you feeling weakened and uncertain if you’ll ever genuinely recover. That’s where we step in. Axes Physical Therapy, owned and operated by local physical therapists in Kirkwood, MO, is devoted to getting you the most out of your post surgery rehabilitation with research-driven treatment plans designed for your specific situation.

We only have one mission: to help Kirkwood, MO residents who have surgery heal effectively, ensuring you can return to the activities you love. So, whether you’ve just had surgery or are planning for one, trust Axes in Kirkwood, MO with your post surgical rehabilitation.

Get back to the activities you adore most with Axes Physical Therapy, where your well-being is our top concern. Schedule an appointment through our website or phone the Axes location nearest you to get started.

Why You Need Physical Therapy in Kirkwood, MO

Surgery is stressful to the body as, even though it’s in the best interest of your long-term health, it’s still making tears and incisions in different tissues. This stress to the body must happen for us to get the benefits of surgery, and the effectiveness of surgery often relies on the body’s capability to adjust to these changes over time. Remaining on bed rest for too long can bring complications, and getting moving after surgery helps your muscles remain robust and keeps your body healthy. Post surgical rehabilitation with a licensed physical therapist in Kirkwood, MO is often necessary to ensure your surgery is a complete success.

Helps Improve Power, Mobility, and Flexibility

A primary advantage of post-surgical rehabilitation through physical therapy is its capacity to enhance multiple aspects vital for a fruitful recovery:

• Strength — Physical therapy focuses on targeted exercises and techniques to restore muscle strength in areas where the muscle was weakened. Whether it’s a specific joint, muscle group, or specific area of your body, our knowledgeable Kirkwood, MO physical therapists design exercises to boost your muscle power.
• Mobility — After surgery, recovering the ability to move without restriction and without pain is essential. Physical therapy focuses on mobility exercises that work to return your range of motion. This is notably important for surgeries involving joint areas, as it helps you to recover your ability to bend, stretch, and move these areas without challenge.
• Flexibility — Surgery can lead to stiff or inflexible soft tissues. Physical therapy includes multiple stretching exercises designed to increase your flexibility. These exercises promote pliability in your tissues, which is vital for lessening post-operative discomfort and ensuring a more seamless recovery process.

Fast-tracking the Recovery Process

Post-surgical rehabilitation through physical therapy can aid you return to your best you quicker. Here’s how:

• Custom Exercise Plans — Physical therapists design personalized exercise programs geared to your specific surgery, body, and personal needs. These exercises are crafted to maximize your recovery by gradually increasing in intensity as you progress.
• Progressive Treatment — Your physical therapist will monitor your progress carefully and implement necessary adjustments to your treatment plan. This guarantees that you are regularly challenged without overexerting yourself, enabling continuous, safe, and effective recovery.
• Improved Circulation — Physical therapy promotes blood flow to the surgical site and across your body. This blood delivers crucial nutrients and oxygen to the recovering tissues, accelerating the body’s natural healing processes.
• Decrease in Inflammation — It’s common to experience swelling after surgery, and overwhelming swelling can hamper healing. Physical therapy techniques, including hands-on therapies and specific exercises, can help lessen swelling and inflammation, providing relief and expediting recovery.

Ensuring Proper Healing and Preventing Complications

Effective post surgical rehabilitation through physical therapy is crucial in ensuring that the healing process advances seamlessly and without complications. Here’s how physical therapy in St. Louis helps to a better recovery:

• Monitoring Surgical Site — Physical therapists intently monitor the surgical site, paying attention to any indications of complications or issues. This proactive approach allows for early detection and intervention, reducing the risk of further problems.
• Personalized Recovery Plan — Axes’ physical therapy programs in Kirkwood, MO are tailored based on the type of surgery you’ve undergone. Your rehabilitation plan is formed to tackle the particular needs and challenges related to your surgery.
• Preventing Muscle Atrophy — After surgery, muscles near the affected area can weaken due to inactivity. Physical therapy incorporates exercises targeting stopping muscle atrophy and maintaining muscle tone. This not just supports the healing process but also minimizes the risk of long-term muscle-related issues.
• Enhancing Surgical Outcomes — Proper rehabilitation ensures that any changes or repairs made during surgery recover optimally. Physical therapy techniques are formulated to encourage the correct alignment and function of the surgical site, reducing the likelihood of complications or the need for additional procedures.

Effectively Alleviate Pain

Handling pain and inflammation is a crucial aspect of post surgical recovery. Physical therapy offers a opioid-free approach to pain management with multiple advantages:

• Targeted Pain Relief — Physical therapists utilize various techniques to reduce pain, including manual therapy, specialized exercises, and modalities like cold and heat therapy. These methods are particularly tailored to tackle pain at the surgical site, providing efficient relief.
• Decreased Opioid Use — The opioid epidemic is a pressing problem in healthcare. Physical therapy can significantly reduce the need for painkillers by tackling the root cause of the pain. This approach not only avoids opioid-related side effects but also lowers the risk of dependence. According to the CDC, nonopioid therapies may actually be more effective than opioids for some conditions.
• Holistic Pain Management — Physical therapy takes a holistic approach to pain management. It not only focuses on immediate pain relief but also works towards improving overall musculoskeletal function and tackling the underlying issues behind the pain. This results in a broader and enduring reduction in pain.

Enhancing Psychological Well-being With Exercise

Surgery puts stress on our mental well-being as well as our bodies. You have to deal with apprehension of the surgery itself, a sense of loss of control, and maybe even financial stress or self-image concerns. Here’s how exercise-based rehabilitation contributes to enhanced mental health following surgery:

• Release of Endorphins and Reduction of Anxiety — Exercise, a key component of physical therapy, stimulates the release of endorphins. Endorphins are natural chemicals in the body that are often referred to as “feel-good” hormones. They create a sense of well-being and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.
• Feeling of Accomplishment — As you progress through your physical therapy program, you often experience a sense of achievement with each milestone you pass. Whether it’s reclaiming mobility, strength, independence in daily activities, or getting back to one of your favorite activities, these achievements elevate confidence and self-esteem.
• Better Sleep Quality — Engaging in exercises also contributes to better sleep quality. Patients who take part in structured exercise programs often report improved sleep patterns, which are vital for overall well-being and recovery.

Who Needs Post-Surgery Rehabilitation in Kirkwood, MO?

Physical therapy is regularly recommended after many types of surgery in Kirkwood, MO:

• Ligament Reconstruction —

  Ligament reconstruction surgery is conducted to address damaged ligaments, commonly seen in injuries to the knee or shoulder. Physical therapy is crucial in assisting you regain mobility and strength in the affected joint after such surgeries. Therapists develop rehabilitation programs customized to the particular ligament repaired, emphasizing exercises that progressively restore function and stability.

• Joint Replacement —

  Joint replacement surgeries, such as hip, knee, or shoulder replacements, are increasingly common procedures. Physical therapy is vital to making sure your body effectively adapts to its new joint. You’ll benefit from supervised exercises that improve joint mobility, fortify supporting muscles, and facilitate a return to routine or favorite activities. Starting physical therapy soon after the operation can markedly boost the healing process.

• Spine Surgery —

  Surgeries of the spine, such as procedures such as spinal fusion, necessitate careful care during recovery. Physical therapy takes on a critical role in these cases by directing you through light stretches and exercises that encourage blood flow and gradually reintroduce them to everyday movements. This assists minimize discomfort and hastens recovery.

• Tendon Repair —

  Surgery to repair tendons is often required for conditions including tears in the rotator cuff or injuries to the Achilles tendon. Physical therapists use focused exercises to rebuild strength and flexibility around the repaired tendon, guaranteeing a safe and effective recovery.

• Cartilage Repair —

  Surgeries to repair cartilage, addressing issues like an ACL tear, require specific rehabilitation. Physical therapy aims at restoring joint function and mobility while taking care of the recently mended cartilage. Therapists utilize techniques that fortify the surrounding muscles and enhance range of motion.

• Fracture Repair —

  Surgeries to mend fractures, whether in the extremities or advanced fractures, require careful rehabilitation. Physical therapy assists in reacquiring strength, mobility, and pliability around the fractured area.

• Heart Surgery —

  Heart surgeries, like operations like bypass surgery, require a holistic approach to recovery. Physical therapy has a crucial role in preventing cardiopulmonary complications by gradually bringing you to gentle supervised exercise. This encourages overall health and reduces the length of hospital stays.

You should know that each surgical procedure is individual, and the form of rehabilitation required may differ as per the surgery. Your Kirkwood, MO physical therapist at Axes will form a team with you and your doctors to provide you a customized therapy regimen aimed at restoring your mobility and taking you return to the things you cherish the most.

Reach Out to Axes For Post-Surgical Rehabilitation in Kirkwood, MO

Physical therapy is a crucial part of attaining a smooth healing process in after-surgery rehabilitation. When you think about your post-surgery route in Kirkwood, MO, we encourage you to take action and prioritize your recovery through physical therapy. Listed are the crucial steps to guarantee a positive post-surgery recovery process:

• Speak to your surgeon or make use of direct access physical therapy to determine if physical therapy is right for your post-surgical rehabilitation
• Begin post-surgical rehabilitation as quickly as advised post your surgery
• Stick to the Kirkwood, MO physical therapist’s advice
• Communicate with your physical therapist and voice any worries or doubts you possess
• Celebrate achievements by highlighting each achievement and advancement in your recovery journey
• Get out there and return to the things you enjoy most

Your recovery journey is specific to your situation, and with Axes, your rehabilitation plan will be specifically designed for your needs and based on rehabilitation techniques scientifically proven to work. If you have any questions or if you want to begin your post-surgery rehabilitation, please feel free to get in touch with our skilled team of Kirkwood, MO physical therapists at Axes Physical Therapy. Your well-being is our top priority, and we are excited to being there for you on your journey to wellness. Contact us online or call the Axes location closest to you.