Rehab for Leg Surgery

AT EVOLVE

Rehab for Leg Surgery

HOW CAN PHYSICAL THERAPY HELP ME RECOVER FROM LEG SURGERY?

Surgeries to the legs are not uncommon and physical therapists play an important role in the post-surgical rehabilitation process. Following surgery, the leg will need to undergo a period of recovery prior to returning to full activities. Physical therapy helps promote healing of the surgical area and return to full function through the use of manual therapy techniques, therapeutic exercises, neuromuscular re-education and more.

WHAT DOES PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR A LEG SURGERY LOOK LIKE?

My team of physical therapists and I will help you recover from leg surgery. In many cases surgeons provide a postsurgical protocol that will help guide your therapist on how much strength, range of motion and activity your leg can tolerate at any given time following the surgery. In the beginning your PT will work on reducing swelling around the surgical site, teach you how to use an assistive device to modify your weight bearing if needed and initiate return of muscle function around the surgical area. As recovery progresses you will continue through a series of exercises to increase range of motion in the leg, improve strength and neuromuscular control, regain normal walking mechanics and then progress to sport-specific or work-specific training exercises. This includes higher impact training exercises like running, jumping or hiking.

Request Appointment!

HOW LONG WILL I NEED LEG REHAB PHYSICAL THERAPY?

The duration of your physical therapy plan of care will vary depending on the type of surgery you had and any additional impairments that also need to be addressed. While full resolution of symptoms can take some time, you may begin to see some results right away. You should experience improvements in many symptoms such as pain, stiffness, and inflammation within a couple of weeks. Progression in strength, flexibility and overall mobility that allows you to stand and walk more comfortably, may take longer. Achieving long lasting results may take some time, but dedication to your program will help you achieve these results. Your PT will be able to give you a more specific timeline for recovery after your surgery and as you move through the rehabilitation process.

COMMON LEG SURGERIES

Surgeries to the leg might involve any of the structures from the hip down to the ankle. As you might imagine, the reasons for undergoing leg surgery are quite lengthy. In the case of a traumatic injury or acute event, surgery on the leg might be performed emergently. In other cases, a surgery may be performed after a period of conservative care like rest, physical therapy, bracing or injections. Some of the common leg-related surgical procedures that physical therapist often encounter in their practices are as follows:

Joint replacements: hip, knee and ankle joint replacements are followed by a course of physical therapy

Tendon repair: each of the muscles in the leg have a tendon that anchors it to the bone. A mild to moderate tendon injury can often repair itself with conservative care but a more severe or chronic tendon injury may require surgery

Ligament repair or reconstruction: ligaments are structures that provide stability to joints. Certain ligaments like the ACL, PCL, MCL and LCL of the knee or ligaments of the ankle can be injured and may require surgery when severe.

Hip surgeries: surgeries to the hip such as labral repairs, femoroacetabular impingement surgery, hip dysplasia surgeries and more, commonly need physical therapy to promote full recovery

Patella-related surgeries: in the case of chronic patella-related pain or instability, surgery may be performed to improve alignment and stability or reduce pain

Fracture stabilization: in the case where a cast or boot is not sufficient, surgery may be performed to stabilize a bone following a fracture

Call to Schedule a Consultation! 1-718-258-3300

End Injury Progression

Rehab physical therapy for leg surgery has proven to prevent injury, slow and even stop pain issues, improve performance, and reverse injury progression in many cases.

**Relieve Pain**
The movements used in this technique can target your entire body helping you to manage discomfort and pain during the course of your physical therapy treatments.

**Improve Range of Motion**
Posture awareness is an important area to focus on due to the fact that certain positions may cause you further discomfort and pain.

**Restore Mobility**
You can regain mobility and flexibility by taking part in the stretches and exercises as prescribed by your physical therapist.

How Long Will Rehab Physical Therapy for Leg Surgery Treatments Last?

If you decide to work with a physical therapist to help with leg rehab, 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 I EXPECT FROM PHYSICAL THERAPY AFTER SURGERY?

During your first visit with a physical therapist following surgery, your therapist will interview you about your surgery, about your symptoms before and after surgery and about the long term goals you have for returning to activities. They will also perform a physical exam to evaluate the surgical site as well as nearby areas that may be affected either by the surgery or by the condition that necessitated the surgery. All of this information will allow them to create an individualized rehabilitation plan of care, informed by any post-surgical rehabilitation protocols your surgeon may have provided.

The exact progression of your recovery will depend on the type of surgery you had. Some surgeries will require a period of immobilization or limited weight bearing to allow tissues to heal sufficiently before any stress is applied to them, while other surgeries will benefit from a more active recovery approach right away. Right after your surgery your physical therapist may use modalities, manual therapy techniques or gentle passive range of motion to address pain and inflammation and to preserve motion. As you progress through your recovery and the surgical site is allowed to undergo more stress, your program will likely include some of the following types of treatment in order to achieve your maximal level of function. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself working out areas adjacent to the surgical site or even performing some aerobic training as all of this is important to restore full function following a surgery and when there has been a history of a chronic injury or pain.

Strengthening: Restoring strength and endurance to the muscles around the surgical site and adjacent areas is an important part of post-surgical rehabilitation. It will reduce the risk of re-injury and help you return to your prior level of function.

Stretching: Stretching is often needed after a surgery to restore normal joint motion and muscle length but needs to be done carefully to prevent disruption of the healing process.

Neuromuscular Re-education: This type of treatment is used to improve the motor control and coordination of muscles around the leg so that it functions well and remains stable during everyday activities.

Gait training: This type of treatment involves learning how to walk normally again following the surgery.

Balance: Balance is often affected by leg injuries and surgeries and you will likely be practicing balance exercises under a number of conditions.

Power and Agility: In the late stages of post-surgical rehab it is important to address power and agility so that you can jump, run, cut and so forth.

Sport- and work-specific Tasks: For athletes returning to sport, sport-specific exercises will be incorporated later on in your rehabilitation to prepare the leg for the demands of returning to play. Work-specific tasks like climbing a ladder, lifting, pushing and pulling will also be addressed.

Having any type of surgery can feel daunting but my team of physical therapists and I are here to help make that process as smooth as possible. Call Evolve today to get started on your recovery from leg surgery.