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What Is Orthophysiotherapy? Why Is Physiotherapy Important After an Orthosurgery?

Orthophysiotherapy is a curative or healing process that involves the entire musculoskeletal system. Orthophysiotherapy is also known as orthopedic physical therapy. In this therapy, care is provided to the bones, muscles, ligaments and tendons, joints, and connective tissue. All these together constitute the musculoskeletal system. Orthophysiotherapy can enhance the quality of life by getting back to doing your daily activities normally post-surgery, an injury, accident, or illness.

The orthopedic physiotherapist is specialized in diagnosing and treating those conditions which affect any part of the musculoskeletal system. The physiotherapist has a specialization in orthopedics which help them to understand the condition.

There are various reasons for consulting the best physiotherapist. They are-

  1. Improving the range of motion- If a person has undergone ortho surgery or has existing conditions or an injury that may lead to restricted movement of some parts of the body. The most affected movements are that of the limbs. These lead to discomfort and leave the person incapable of participating in daily chores. The treated part of the body has restricted movement after an ortho surgery so that it heals properly. Usually after healing the movement of that part or adjoining part is affected. These motion issues can only be resolved with physiotherapy. In order to regain complete mobility in a healthy and efficient manner, the patient has to follow physiotherapy.
  2. Pain Management- Most people complain of some extent of pain after any ortho surgery. Physiotherapy aids in pain management and pain relief. It also addresses the root cause of the issue. There are various approaches to dealing with pain such as therapeutic massages, stretching, joint mobilizations, posture correcting exercises, and posture awareness. There are other approaches such as acupuncture and electrotherapy for greater pain and risks.
  3. Neurological disorders- While the surgeons make sure that there is no nerve damage during ortho surgery yet there is a slight chance that a nerve might get compressed or damaged in surgery or during recovery. These may cause severe damage to the body. Physiotherapists take care of these issues. Physiotherapy to correct neurological disorders includes passive limb exercises or assisted limb exercises, bed exercises, and breathing and circulation exercises. In serious cases, mobility aid is also provided for the correct mobilization of joints.

There are three approaches of Ortho- Physiotherapy-

  1. Education and advice- The main aspect of physiotherapy is a healthy body as a whole. Therefore, it is important to focus on the entire body, rather than the individual factor of such an issue. General advice on physical wellbeing is given out to all patients. The main aim of such education and advice is to make them aware of the benefits of regular exercise, correct posture, and weight management. A physiotherapist will also give specific advice on your concerned issue.
  2. Movement and exercise- Movement and exercises are specifically recommended to increase mobility and function. These techniques may include exercises to improve movement and strength in specific body parts along with exercises for the betterment of the muscles and to relax and support the joints. Exercises that help one stay active throughout the day and exercises that can help relieve pain are also part of the therapy.
  3. Manual therapy- Manual therapy is a technique where physiotherapists use their hands to massage and mobilize the body. They may also use some device to massage and manipulate body tissues. Manual therapy helps in pain relief, improves blood circulation, and fluid drainage from the body, improvement in the movement of different parts of the body, and helps the body to relax. Manual therapy is catered very specifically to individuals with muscle spasms and is also useful for a range of conditions that may or may not be related to the existing issue. Acupuncture is an example where a device, mainly fine sterile needles, is inserted in specific points of the body for pain relief. Similarly, Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation or TENS is a small, battery-operated device that delivers light electric currents to the affected body part for pain relief. At the best orthopedic hospital in Bangalore, which is one of the best cities for treatment in India, you will find a wide range of therapies under one roof.

Physiotherapy is very important for patients post ortho surgery like knee replacement, surgery post compound fracture, hip replacement surgery, or any ortho surgery. It helps in gaining movement back in such parts where surgery has been performed. No matter how well the surgery has been performed if ortho physiotherapy is not done properly the movement stays restricted. This restricted movement could last your whole life. There are multiple therapies under physiotherapy to address different conditions. Different therapies include- hot/cold therapy, tractions, hydrotherapy, soft tissue manipulation, joint mobilization, dry needling, laser or light therapy, and kinesiology.