As mentioned above, there are many ways in which a physical therapist can support a football player. Here are some of the services that we offer to players to support them in their careers as a player:

Injury Rehabilitation

People undergo leg surgeries for many different reasons. Sometimes, in the case of acute injuries like a car accident or a fracture, leg surgeries become an emergency and the focus of physical therapy will be on recovery after the fact. Many other surgeries, however, may occur after a period of conservative care and chronic symptoms or simply after a waiting period following an acute injury. Given that the leg includes the hip, knee and everything in between, there are many different types of leg surgeries, but here is a list of common leg surgeries that may benefit from a course of prehabilitation:

• Hip replacement
• Femur, tibia, patellar, fibula fracture repair
• Meniscus surgery
• ACL, MCL, PCL, LCL surgeries
• Hip labral repair
• Femoroacetabular impingement surgery of the hip
• Patella surgeries
• Knee replacement
• Tendon repairs

WHY NOT WAIT UNTIL AFTER SURGERY?

Physical therapy can set you up for success on both sides of the operating table. As mentioned above, most people are unsurprised to hear their surgeon recommend or require a course of physical therapy to help them recover from their surgery. For those who are planning on undergoing surgery, however, they may be wondering whether there is any benefit to working with a physical therapist ahead of the procedure. Turns out, in many cases there is.

In certain cases, such as ACL surgery, a surgeon may require that a patient undergo a course of prehabilitation to “quiet” the swelling in the knee, increase its tolerance to activity and begin to restore range of motion and muscle activation around the injured area. This has been shown to help with long term recovery from surgery. In other cases, a patient may have to request a referral to PT or it may be optional. Many times after we’ve sustained an injury or if we’ve been dealing with symptoms for a long time we naturally decrease our level of movement and exercise to avoid provoking uncomfortable or painful symptoms. While this choice will most likely accomplish the goal of reducing our symptoms, it doesn’t necessarily put us in the best position for an easy recovery from surgery.

If the surgery isn’t an emergency, there are many ways that a physical therapist can help prepare you and your body for the upcoming procedure.

If you decide to work with a physical therapist to help with leg surgery related issues, your entire treatment plan could consist of around 8-20+ different physical therapy sessions that will each last 60-90 minutes. Once you complete your customized physical therapy treatment plan, you will be able to continue to do the prescribed stretches and exercises utilized during your PT sessions yet in the comfort of your own home.

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT FROM LEG SURGERY PREHABILITATION?

My team of therapists will individualize a prehabilitation program just for you, however, there are many elements that are common across different prehabilitation programs. To help you gain a better understanding of what to expect, here is a list of some common goals of leg surgery prehab:

Set expectations: The idea of surgery can be quite scary. Having an idea of what to expect after the procedure can ease some of your anxiety and help ensure you have what you need to support your recovery. Getting to know your physical therapist before surgery will help build trust with them when it comes time for post-operative care. They can also advise you on any equipment or modifications to your home that might be necessary, help you understand what kind of help or support you will need from others, and prepare you for how your body may feel after surgery.

Manage pain and inflammation: Pain and inflammation are natural side effects of injuries. They alert us that we need to protect the injured area and that the body is taking steps to start the healing process. In some cases, however, your surgeon may require that your injury is “quiet”, meaning it can tolerate some stress and activity without causing significant swelling, before they want to operate. If this is the case, or if surgery is delayed for any reason, learning strategies to manage pain and inflammation in the meantime will help you stay comfortable and as active as possible.

Learn how to use assistive devices: If you will be leaving the hospital with a shiny new walker, cane, or crutches, learning how to use them beforehand can be very helpful. Immediately post surgery, when you are still feeling the effects of anesthesia, and pain and stiffness are setting in, is not the best time to learn how to use an unfamiliar device that is meant to protect your recently operated-on leg.

Build or maintain strength and flexibility: While the brain knows that surgery is intended to “heal” the injury, the body views the surgical procedure as another injury to the tissues. Maximizing strength and flexibility prior to the surgery can help decrease muscle atrophy and stiffness following the procedure which can ultimately quicken your recovery.

Prehabilitation for leg surgeries is an excellent choice for those wanting to get a head start on their recovery and to help improve their chances of a good surgical outcome. My team of therapists and I would love to help you prepare for your upcoming surgery. Call the office at Evolve today to get started.