Reaching Post Operative Benchmarks

A physical therapist on your health team can be crucial to a healthy lifestyle. This is especially true after an operation. After surgery, your body loses a lot of strength. Physical therapy is always a good idea and often recommended by primary care physicians to recover and regain function.

Setting up Goals and Knocking Them Down

Physical therapy is an enormous factor in post-operative recovery. It usually begins shortly after surgery. Sometimes even on the same day.

After an operation, physical therapy usually focuses on exercises and stretches chosen for your specific situation. I will set your rehab goals, and together we’ll work to meet those benchmarks.

A big goal post operation is to improve your pain level and build strength. Again, this goes back to the exercises and stretches chosen for your recovery. I will ensure that we meet our goals of relieving your pain and gaining strength.

Another goal is to bring the affected part of your body back to regular use. That could include improvements in range of motion and frequency of use.

The Proof of Recovery

General pain reduction can be tricky for physical therapists to benchmark. Sometimes it’s difficult for patients to communicate their pain levels.

You have probably had a medical professional ask you to describe your pain level on a number scale. Sometimes a number scale doesn’t accurately describe the type of pain, the frequency, or the intensity. And sometimes, it’s complex for a patient to know if the pain is genuinely receding.

But we can measure strength and range of motion objectively. For example, if you had knee surgery, you won’t be able to bend your knee very far. After working with me, you will be able to bend your knee, and we’ll be working towards full recovery. This shows objective and measurable progress.

Give It Time

Over my physical therapy career, I’ve helped many people meet their physical therapy goals and achieve life-changing results. Sometimes physical therapy goals are slow to be completed. Progress may take longer than expected. This can become discouraging or frustrating for my clients.

I always act in the best interest of my patients. So, if we aren’t meeting post-operation benchmarks, we’ll figure out a new direction together.

That may mean I need to do another assessment for you. Or I may need to consult with your primary physician. Or we may need to talk about your home exercise program to find out what’s working and what’s not.

There is no one-size-fits-all with my patients. Each one receives a personalized plan. So, if our one-on-one time and your home exercise program aren’t creating results, I can change your plan and benchmarks.

Physical therapy isn’t just about stretches, gaining strength, and exercises. It’s also about open communication between my patients and me. This is crucial to meeting post-operative benchmarks in your recovery. Learning to navigate challenges at home is as important as reaching textbook goals. Learning how to get out of bed, into a car, up and down stairs in your home… all these are part of your recovery.

The Convenience of In-Home Physical Therapy

Having surgery can be a life-altering event. But even with common out-patient surgeries, physical therapy is essential. With my in-home premier service, I come to you. So, you have one less appointment that requires you to leave home.

Imagine the ease of me coming to you, instead of the usual way appointments occur. No need to find someone to drive you to your physical therapy appointment! You can progress on your post-operative recovery goals in the comfort of your home. Contact us for concierge service that makes a real difference in your recovery.