Post-Surgical Rehab
Post-surgical physical therapy is the structured recovery program that follows an operation, helping you regain strength, movement and confidence. We work with your surgeon's guidelines and tailor the plan to your procedure and goals. Spine & Rehab Specialists provides it at our Edgemere and Physicians clinics in El Paso, Texas.
What physical therapy after surgery is for
After surgery it is common to have pain, swelling, stiffness, weak muscles and limited motion. Physical therapy after surgery helps your recovery progress safely, and working with a licensed physical therapist reduces the risk of complications and delayed healing. Our PT, DPT team works with your physician and surgeon when appropriate so your rehab aligns with your post-operative guidelines.
In many cases you can choose where to do your PT. Ask your surgeon for a prescription, call us, and we will help verify your insurance requirements.
Surgeries we rehab
Rotator cuff repair rehab, rehab after shoulder surgery and other procedures are built around the operation you had.
- Total knee replacement (knee replacement rehab)
- Total hip replacement (hip replacement rehab)
- Rotator cuff repair and shoulder surgery
- ACL reconstruction (ACL surgery rehab)
- Meniscus surgery
- Spine surgery, including cervical and lumbar procedures and spinal fusion rehab
- Fracture repair
- Tendon and ligament repairs
- Sports-related surgeries
Pre-surgical rehab: prehab before surgery
Getting stronger before an operation can make recovery smoother. Prehab before surgery means building strength and range of motion and learning the exercises you will do afterward, so they are familiar when you are sore. If arthritis is behind a planned replacement, see arthritis and joint pain.
What your rehab may include
Every patient gets a comprehensive evaluation first. Then your plan can include:
- Therapeutic exercise, stretching and strengthening, progressed as you heal
- Manual therapy to restore motion (see manual therapy)
- Scar tissue management and swelling control
- Balance and coordination training
- Gait training, with an anti-gravity treadmill for walking practice when it fits (see anti-gravity treadmill)
- Heated aquatic therapy at our Physicians clinic, where the water supports your weight (see aquatic therapy)
- A home program and clear education for your recovery
What recovery looks like from week to week
Each stage depends on the surgery and your surgeon's protocol, so we do not give a fixed schedule. In general, early rehab calms pain and swelling and protects the repair while restoring motion. Next comes building strength and walking or lifting patterns. The last stage prepares you for work, recreation or sport. We check your progress at each visit and adjust. For non-surgical care of the same area, see knee, hip, shoulder and back pain, and sports injury rehab for athletes returning to play.
Recover stronger in El Paso, Texas
Whether your surgery is behind you or ahead, call our Edgemere or Physicians clinic, or request an appointment. In many cases you do not need a referral in Texas, and we can help verify your insurance requirements before your first visit.
We see patients at our Edgemere and Physicians clinics in El Paso, Texas.