Pre & Post-Operative Care Oakville

Pre and post-operative care have a major effect on rehabilitation after surgery. Rehabilitative care could mean getting back into athletic shape or restoring enough functionality to engage in daily tasks. OAK Physio & Wellness offers pre & post-op care in Oakville. We offer treatment for a wide range of post-surgical rehabilitative efforts, including rotator cuffs, torn labrums, and ACL reconstruction.

What is pre-operative care?

Most people understand the purpose of post-operative care, but some might be confused about the benefit of pre-operative care. Before performing surgeries, doctors perform comprehensive physical exams to assess surgical risk. These kinds of assessments test muscle strength, heart rate, mobility, and pain tolerance.

Pre-operative care typically involves an exercise program, so patients can better handle the physical stress of undergoing operations. These programs serve to improve strength, heart rate, joint mobility, and endurance. Pre-op care routines also seek to reduce the anxiety that patients might have before undergoing surgery.

What is post-operative care?

The first few weeks after major surgery can be incredibly difficult to manage. Pain, swelling, and disorientation are all common side effects. Post-operative rehabilitation focuses on regaining muscle strength and improving mobility.

Early treatment focuses on restoring basic functionality so patients can perform daily tasks. Then the goal is to progress the patient to strengthening exercises to achieve their personal goals. Your post-operative care physiotherapist can modify the treatment regimen depending on your needs.

What kinds of surgeries require pre and post-operative care?

Surgery is often an option for serious conditions when other less invasive methods of treatment have failed. Common surgeries that may require pre and post-operative care can include:

Heart surgery
Knee replacements
Hip replacement
ACL reconstruction
Rotator cuff repair
Labrum restoration
Cesarean section
Hysterectomy

These types of invasive surgeries frequently cause inflammation, discomfort, swelling, and mobility issues. Patients need to follow strict post-operative care routines to ensure prompt recovery with no complications.

Pre and post-natal care

In addition to surgery, pre and post-natal care may also be necessary for pregnant people. Pregnancy and postpartum periods can involve several physical complications. Care during the postpartum period can involve exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor and regain stability while walking.

Prenatal rehab and exercise can significantly reduce the chance of pregnancy complications. Exercising during pregnancy does not increase the risk of miscarriage and can actually help reduce bloating, backaches, and constipation. Pre and post-natal care can help reduce the chance of preterm births, maternal obesity, emergency C-section delivery, and preeclampsia.

Benefits of pre and post-surgical rehabilitation

Both pre and post-surgical rehabilitation can help contribute to positive patient outcomes after surgery. Surgery is a type of trauma, which can have significant physical and mental effects. Pre and post-operative treatment are meant to reduce pain and speed up the recovery process.

In addition to facilitating recovery, post-surgical treatments can help minimize the chance of complications. Common post-surgery complications can include.

Pain
Infection
Hemorrhaging
Shock
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Pulmonary embolism (PE)
Difficulty urinating
Anesthesia reactions

Post-surgical complications can severely affect recovery times and negatively affect long-term health, so it’s important to receive adequate care. Post-operative rehabilitation can also reduce your reliance on opioids and other pain medications, reducing the chance of misuse.

What should I expect during physiotherapy?

Physical therapy for pre and post-surgery involves exercise, massages, and other treatment modalities to strengthen the body and alleviate pain. Specific techniques include laser therapy, massage therapy, electrical stimulation, and at-home exercise routines.

Your exact care routine will differ depending on your age, health, and condition. Our team of experienced physical therapists has several years of experience working with pre and post-op patients to help them regain mobility and independence.

See What We Can Do For You

Schedule a Physical Therapy Session Today!

If you have surgery planned in the future, don’t hesitate to set up pre and post-op care in Oakville today. The sooner you contact a professional, the sooner you can start your care regimen. Our physical therapists at OAK Physio & Wellness work with individual patients to create personalized treatment plans for pre and post-surgical care.

Book online or call today at (289) 725-0241 to schedule an appointment!

FAQ

Below are some of the most common questions about pre and post-operative care in Oakville we receive.

How long should I receive pre-operative rehabilitation?

It depends on the surgery you will be undergoing. Most doctors will undertake pre-operative assessments about a week before your surgery—two weeks for major surgery. Many people start pre-surgical rehab as much as six to eight weeks before surgery.

When should I start post-surgical rehab?

It also depends on the type and severity of the surgery. Your doctor should provide a specific surgical protocol that will define when you can start post-surgical physical rehabilitation. You will most likely start rehab within one to two weeks after surgery.

How long will I need post-surgical treatment?

The exact length of time you’ll need post-surgical treatment depends on the severity of your condition and the nature of the surgery. For a large surgery such as a knee replacement, rehab could take anywhere from six to twelve months. Treatments are more frequent at the beginning of the rehab process and taper off near the end.

Do I need pre or post-op care?

While pre-operative care might not be necessary, virtually all surgeries carry some kind of post-operative care requirements. Whether or not you need pre-operative rehab depends on your overall health and surgical issue.

Is post-op care only for surgery?

No, post-op care is not only for after surgery. If you have an injury or condition that does not require surgery, rehabilitative therapy can help you manage symptoms and facilitate recovery.

What activities should I avoid before and after surgery?

The worst thing to do before surgery is nothing at all. Building up your strength before surgery can help speed up recovery and reduce the risk of surgical complications. After surgery, regular exercise will help reduce pain and return mobility.