Ankle Operation Preparation
Prehab for Ankle surgery
Benefits of Ankle Surgery Prehabilitation
Are you considering undergoing ankle surgery? If so, you might expect to participate in a round of physical therapy or rehabilitation to help you recover. Have you ever considered what actions you can take before surgery to prepare you for the big day? Prehabilitation is a type of rehabilitation that can help prevent injury or prepare you for a surgical procedure. There are many benefits of prehabilitation that range from physical to mental. Let’s explore some of the benefits of prehabiltiation for ankle surgeries to help you decide if it is right for you.
CHOOSING ANKLE SURGERY
In some cases, surgery is unexpected and unavoidable such as when a bad bone break occurs. Many times though, surgery is a last resort after other conservative methods like rest, physical therapy, medication or injections have been tried. Pain, joint instability and difficulty walking or performing weight-bearing activities are possible reasons for deciding to undergo surgery. If you are ambulatory, meaning you are able to walk, ankle pain or injury can significantly impact your day-to-day life.
Ankle surgeries may be performed for many reasons. You may undergo an ankle replacement if you have severe ankle arthritis or damage to the joint. An ankle fusion might be recommended to treat a severe fracture or to address severe pain, stiffness or deformity. Ankle ligament repairs are performed to treat a torn or lax ligament. Ligaments provide stability to an ankle joint and can be damaged from a bad sprain. Severe tendon injuries might also be treated with surgery. Whatever the surgery is for, as long as you have time to prepare, you might consider a course of prehabilitation.
THE EARLY BIRD GETS THE WORM
Waiting for surgery can be nerve-wracking–you might question how it will feel and what the recovery will be like. Physical therapists can help calm your nerves. Physical therapists are movement experts with extensive training in musculoskeletal injuries and surgeries. If your surgeon recommends post-operative physical therapy you will work with a physical therapist to help recover from the surgery and restore function. Prehabilitation gives you the opportunity to work with your therapist ahead of surgery and there are many benefits to be had. Below are some of the goals of prehabilitation for ankle surgery.
Get to know your physical therapist: it can be scary to let someone touch or work on your ankle after surgery. Pain and fear of movement can all contribute to this feeling. Participating in a course of pre-operative care allows you to build rapport and a therapeutic relationship with your PT before the big day. This can alleviate some of your apprehension afterward and build confidence that you will be in good hands.
Set expectations: Knowing what to expect during and after your surgery can help you prepare. Here are examples of some questions you can ask your physical therapist:
Will I be able to put weight on my ankle after surgery?
What kinds of assistive devices (walker, cane, crutches, wheelchair) should I expect to need?
Should I ask a friend or family member to stay with me while I recover?
How will my daily routines change?
Will I need other equipment like a shower bench?
What options do I have for managing pain?
Are there modifications I can make to my work or recreational activities to allow me to participate at least partially?
*Note, some of these questions may be directed to your surgeon
Calm the ankle: Pain, stiffness or swelling might be part of the reason you are undergoing ankle surgery but treatment of these symptoms can start now. Reducing preoperative pain and inflammation and improving mobility might lead to a better post-surgical outcome or hasten recovery from surgery depending on the type of surgery. Also, if your surgery date is a ways away, making you as comfortable as possible in the meantime is always a goal.
Train with your devices: If you require a cane, crutches, a walker or a wheelchair following surgery, practicing ahead of time can build your confidence and technique. Oftentimes assistive device training happens right after surgery when you may still be groggy from anesthesia. The risk of compromising the surgery if you fall or accidentally put too much weight through your foot is an important consideration. Training ahead of time can reduce this risk.
Get active: Surgery can put a lot of stress on the entire body. Medications, anesthesia, and reduced activity levels can all take a toll. If you are planning for surgery you may have already reduced your activity levels to accommodate for the symptoms you are experiencing. Prehabilitation can help you safely and comfortably increase your overall strength, flexibility, mobility, tissue integrity and even cardiorespiratory fitness which can make recovering from surgery that much easier.
If you are worried that you cannot do any exercise or activity because past attempts have been painful or unsuccessful, this is why you are working with a physical therapist. Physical therapists are experts in the adaptation, modification and grading of exercises and activities to accommodate for impairments like pain, swelling, instability and weight-bearing restrictions. Your PT can guide you on a safe but effective plan to prepare your ankle and entire body for surgery.
If you are considering ankle surgery, we would love to help you prepare. Our team of physical therapists at Evolve Physical Therapy love to help patients prepare their mindsets and bodies for the demands of surgery and recovery. To learn more about our services call our office and when you are ready, schedule your initial evaluation to get your prehabilitation started.
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About EvolveNY-
Brooklyn's Premier Holistic Physical Therapy Clinics- There’s physical therapy, there’s training, and then there’s EVOLVE. We use the science of biomechanics merged with fitness to help our patients get better and stay better!
First we evaluate, then we heal, then we strengthen our clients so they can reach their goals, feel better, and live happier lives. We do so by utilizing a range of core techniques and specialized treatments to reduce pain, improve mobility, enhance physical strength and deal with the underlying issues, not just the pain itself.
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1-718-524-3261
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