My search over the past few days has guided me to an article Spine-Health titled, "Physical Therapy After Minimally Invasive Back Surgery," by Carol M. McFarland, MS, PT, OCS. In this article McFarland discusses minimal invasive back surgery, such as a symptomatic herniated disc, and the importance of post operative physical therapy to help with recovery. McFarland suggests that “a concerted effort at re-conditioning through physical therapy is still an important aspect of the patient’s recovery. Improving strength, flexibility and aerobic conditioning will prevent or at least minimize the chances of any recurrent back or leg.” It is clear that through her findings and personal experiences patients have had more success in recovering from a minimal invasive back surgery after doing physical therapy. Not only do patients recover quicker but it also helps to alleviate pain.
After I read McFarland’s article I wanted to learn more on if a patient who had an invasive surgery such as a total knee or hip replacement would have similar success rates as a less invasive surgery? This brought me to another great article Everyday Health called, "Hip Replacement Surgery: Working with a Physical Therapist," written by Marie Suszynski. In Suszynski’s article she consistently communicates to her readers the importance of having a physical therapist work on the patient’s range of motion (ROM). After undergoing a surgery as serious as a total hip replacement it is important that a patient learns how to properly strengthen and use the muscles in and around the hip so that injury doesn’t occur. It seems to me that physical therapy on this type of surgery is beneficial in the long term recovery process, but how long does a patient have to continue to go to physical therapy?
How long after the surgery should a patient wait to start physical therapy? Does that play a role in the recovery time? I am starting to read an abundance of positive sides to post operative physical therapy but there is a lot more research to be done. I found that with both of the sources believe physical therapy is a must for a post operative patient and that a lot of benefits can come out it.
References:
Suszynski, Marie. “Hip Replacement Surgery: Working with a Physical Therapist.” Everyday Health. Ed. Lindsey Marcellin, MD, MPH. 6 July. 2009. 7 Nov. 2011. <http://www.everydayhealth.com/hip-pain/hip-replacement-physical-therapy.aspx>
McFarland, Carol M. “Physical Therapy After Minimally Invasive Back Surgery.” Spine Health. Ed. Peer Reviewed by Doctors. 17 Aug. 2007. 7 Nov. 2011. <http://www.spine-health.com/wellness/exercise/physical-therapy-after-minimally-invasive-back-surgery>
Since both of these sources are .com sites, I would wonder who sponsors them, and if they are trying to "sell" you anything. These sources are a fine start to your research, but now you can move on to more credible .edu and .gov sites, as well as articles from the library databases.
ReplyDeleteI agree that post operational physical therapy is very important. My sophomore year in high school I tore my ACL in a football game and had to have knee surgery. I didn't wait the prescribed amount of time to walk on it with my full weight, and I didn't go through all the physical therapy that I was supposed to do. I was able to play in the following baseball season and played football beyond high school so I thought that my lack of physical therapy had no effect on me. I was wrong. Now with the changing of the weather or a long day of work I am often plagued by pains in my knee, my elbow, my foot, and my shoulder(all surgeries I have had due to sports related injuries that I didn't do the physical therapy that I was told I should do). Keep up the research. I'm very interested to see what else you turn up.
ReplyDeletePhysical therapy is very important and I agree with you. My friend works in a nursing home and she has seen physical therapy making a difference in the performance of recovery after a post surgery. Improvement is seen but of course the person can never be 100% normal. The scar and the damage done is irreversible but the recovery is possible. I agree physical therapy is very important after post surgery.
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