Find Fast Relief from Your Surgical Procedure with Post-Surgical Rehab
Set Yourself up for a Smooth Recovery
Do you have a surgery coming up that you’ve been anxious about? It is normal to be a bit nervous when planning for surgery, wondering how quickly you’ll be able to get back to doing all the things you love. Fortunately, knowing you have a post-surgical physical therapy plan set beforehand can help ease some of your stress.
Are you looking to recover from your surgery as quickly as possible? Of course, you are! Let ProTailored Physical Therapy help! Contact us today by calling 260-739-0300 for an appointment with one of our dedicated Fort Wayne, IN physical therapists. They will create a personalized treatment plan for your specific needs so you can get back to your life faster!
How will a post-surgical treatment plan help me?
While your physician may recommend pain management drugs, physical therapy has been known to relieve pain without the need for them. Pain-killing drugs mask the pain while physical therapy resolves the issue where the pain is originating. This is achieved with specialized methods, techniques, and modalities, such as joint mobilizations, massage, laser therapy, electrical stimulation, and home exercise programs.
Whatever you may need surgery for, ProTailored Physical Therapy can help you get to your optimum levels of function afterward. Our Fort Wayne, IN physical therapists will create a treatment plan that will include targeted stretches and exercises to help you recover and get back to your normal daily life.
We are dedicated to making sure you are living a healthy life, even after your post-surgical rehab treatments are over. Because of this, part of your treatment plan will also include education on any lifestyle and/or nutritional changes you can make in order to optimize your long-term health, avoid injuring yourself and avoid the need for additional surgeries in the future.
The days and weeks following a surgical procedure may result in physical limitations. Our physical therapist can advise you on ways to accommodate these limitations, such as how to go up and down the stairs, put on clothes, or get in and out of a car. This can be done with the assistance of adaptive tools to compensate for reduced movement. By making these adjustments, you will be able to move around comfortably while also working to restore the normal range of movement in your body.
What are the biggest benefits of post-surgical rehab?
Both pre- and post-surgical rehab are essential elements of successful surgical outcomes. Any type of surgery can be considered a form of trauma and can affect the body differently. Even minor and uncomplicated surgical procedures can have a major impact on your health. Because of this, post-surgical rehab with a Fort Wayne, IN physical therapist is especially important, in order to make sure everything goes smoothly after your operation is done.
Individualized post-surgical rehab at ProTailored Physical Therapy not only minimizes your pain and accelerates your rate of healing, but it can also reduce the chances of postoperative complications, including infections, bleeding, blood clots, muscle weakness, scar tissue, decreased function, and other factors that can negatively impact your long-term health.
Another critical reason for selecting post-surgical physical therapy is its ability to help you reduce or completely avoid prescription painkillers, including opioids. An opioid epidemic is currently gripping the country and impacting every socioeconomic class. According to the CDC, an estimated 115 people every day die from an opioid overdose, and upwards of 29% of people, prescribed opioids will end up misusing these dangerous drugs.
For this reason, the CDC advises people to choose physical therapy over prescription painkillers whenever possible.
Common causes for surgical intervention
When conservative treatment options for an injury or health condition fail to provide effective relief, many physicians will recommend surgical correction. Some common conditions that may lead to surgery include, but are not limited to:
- Heart surgery – ablations, stent placements, cardiac pacemakers, etc
- ACL, MCL, and/or meniscus repairs
- Rotator cuff tears
- Full or partial knee replacements
- Total hip replacements
The impact of these surgeries on your body should not be understated. Most surgeries incur at least some degree of pain, inflammation, mobility limitations, and swelling. To complicate matters, you likely were already experiencing pain and dysfunction prior to your operation!
To accommodate healing tissues and/or to avoid recurring dysfunction, it is likely that you will have to learn how to do certain things all over again, like walking and getting dressed. Our Fort Wayne physical therapists can teach you how to perform tasks safely while following critical post-operative guidelines.
These guidelines are often outlined by your surgeon and could include safe positions for your hip, knee, sternal, spine, non-weight bearing guidelines, etc.
Common Questions Regarding Post-Surgical Rehab:
Should I come to therapy for a session or two before my surgery date?
Regardless of your surgery type, a pre-surgical appointment can be beneficial, for many reasons. One, for your physical therapist to see where your “Starting Point” is before surgery. Two, it allows for the relationship to start forming between you and your dedicated physical therapist sooner rather than later. Three, it allows for you to start on some exercises that should help in your rehabilitation after surgery; in the therapy world, we call it “prehab.”
I’m nervous about being in too much pain for therapy. What can be done for me?
More often than not, pain levels can be increased after a procedure. However, that is one of the main things that we focus on as physical therapists; reducing your pain while improving your function. We often get specific protocols from your surgeon, and we abide by those to make sure that the proper steps are taken to aid in your optimal recovery.
Do you communicate with my surgeon or primary care physician?
We send our reports to your surgeon and your primary care physician. We make sure that we are doing everything on our end to make sure that all communication is seamless. Your dedicated physical therapist will call on your behalf if there is ever any question regarding what’s best for your care.
Why am I in so much pain after my surgery? They said that the surgery was a routine procedure.
Your body undergoes a great deal of change during any surgery, so increased pain levels are totally normal. Anytime there’s cutting of your skin, removal of tissue, joint surfaces replaced, hardware implanted, or anything else that happens during surgery, your body and nervous system are trying to figure out what just happened. Different nerves have been cut through, tissues have been damaged, there has been physical trauma to the body, and the pain and/or swelling is normal. Once your body and nervous system get acquainted with all of the new changes over the next few weeks, the pain levels and swelling should subside, and your functionality (return to normal levels of activity) should increase.
My sister got her knee replaced and she was feeling great after three days. Should I expect the same course of recovery for myself?
We wish that we could guarantee feeling great in such a short period of time, and it can be frustrating when our friends or family make rehabilitation look like a breeze while we’re the ones in pain; however, everyone is different, and everyone responds to surgeries differently. What you and your dedicated physical therapist will focus on will be your recovery plan, not your sister’s or your friend’s. We will do everything in our power to ensure you a speedy recovery specific to you and your goals.
Find relief today
If you are planning on having a surgical operation in the near future, don’t wait to set up your post-surgical rehab plan. Do it today with ProTailored Physical Therapy.
Visit one of our physical therapy clinics in North Fort Wayne, Northwest Fort Wayne, Central Fort Wayne, Southwest Fort Wayne or East Fort Wayne, IN today!
We’ll provide you with everything you need to get back to your life as quickly and easily as possible!
Supporting Your Recovery Every Step of the Way
Get answers to common questions about post-surgical rehabilitation, personalized treatment plans, and what you can expect throughout your recovery.
How does ProTailored’s one-on-one private treatment model benefit postoperative patients?
One of the things that sets ProTailored apart is our commitment to one-on-one care. Every treatment session is performed in a private treatment room with a dedicated therapist who focuses entirely on you throughout your appointment.
This personalized approach allows your therapist to closely monitor your progress, adjust treatment as needed, and provide hands-on care and education specific to your recovery goals. It also creates an environment where you can ask questions, discuss concerns, and better understand your treatment plan.
For postoperative patients, this consistency can be especially valuable. Seeing the same therapist throughout your recovery helps ensure continuity of care while allowing your treatment plan to evolve as your strength, mobility, and function improve.
Is ProTailored covered by Medicare, and how does the clinic coordinate care with my surgeon or physician after surgery?
Yes. ProTailored accepts Medicare and many Medicare replacement plans. Before your first visit, our team will verify your benefits and help you understand your coverage and any potential out-of-pocket costs.
For patients recovering from surgery, communication and coordination are an important part of the recovery process. Our therapists work closely with surgeons, primary care providers, and other healthcare professionals when needed to ensure your treatment plan aligns with your medical needs, surgical precautions, and recovery goals.
Throughout your rehabilitation, we track your progress and provide updates as appropriate so everyone involved in your care is working toward the same outcome—helping you recover safely and return to the activities you enjoy.
What balance and fall-prevention services does ProTailored offer for older adults recovering from surgery or back pain?
Balance issues can affect confidence and independence, especially after surgery or when dealing with back pain. ProTailored offers personalized balance and fall-prevention services designed to help improve stability and make everyday movement feel safer.
Your therapist may use balance training, gait retraining, vestibular rehabilitation, strength exercises, and functional movement activities to improve coordination and reduce fall risk. Treatment can also focus on daily activities such as navigating stairs, getting in and out of chairs, and moving safely at home.
We take a one-on-one approach so your therapist can closely monitor your progress and create a plan tailored specifically to your needs and goals.
How does ProTailored define and measure progress across its four-phase rehabilitation program for postoperative recovery and back pain?
At ProTailored, recovery is guided through our 4-Phase Program, creating a clear path from pain relief to long-term success. If you are recovering from surgery while also managing back pain, your treatment plan is designed to address both conditions together while helping you progress safely and confidently.
Phase 1: Pain Management focuses on reducing pain and inflammation, improving mobility, and helping you move more comfortably. During this stage, many people begin seeing early improvements in pain levels and movement, often within the first several visits.
Phase 2: Corrective Treatment shifts the focus toward improving strength, flexibility, mobility, and correcting movement patterns that may contribute to ongoing discomfort or compensation.
Phase 3: Functional Training is where therapy becomes more focused on the activities that matter most to your daily life. Whether your goal is walking without assistance, climbing stairs comfortably, returning to work, or getting back to hobbies, treatment becomes increasingly personalized around those goals.
Phase 4: Injury Prevention helps you maintain your progress by building long-term strength, improving movement patterns, and reducing the likelihood of future setbacks.
Throughout each phase, your therapist tracks meaningful measurements such as pain levels, range of motion, walking ability, strength, balance, and everyday function. Because your recovery is unique, your treatment plan is continually adjusted based on your progress so you can keep moving toward greater independence and get back to doing what you love.
What back pain treatments does ProTailored offer during early recovery after knee replacement surgery?
Recovering after surgery can sometimes place additional strain on other parts of the body, including your back. ProTailored offers several treatment options to help reduce pain and support your recovery while keeping you moving safely.
Depending on your needs, treatment may include hands-on manual therapy, spine-focused treatment techniques, dry needling, and therapeutic exercises designed to improve mobility and decrease discomfort. Additional treatment options such as H-Wave therapy or LightForce laser therapy may also be recommended to help reduce inflammation and support healing.
Because every recovery journey is different, your therapist will determine which treatments best fit your condition and recovery goals. Our focus is always on helping you move comfortably while supporting your return to daily activities.
How will ProTailored create a treatment plan if I’m recovering from a knee replacement and also dealing with low back pain?
At ProTailored, we understand that recovery isn’t always focused on one area of the body. If you’re healing from a knee replacement while managing low back pain, your treatment plan will be designed around how both conditions affect your movement, comfort, and daily activities.
Your care begins with a thorough one-on-one evaluation where your therapist assesses things like mobility, strength, walking patterns, pain levels, and everyday movement challenges. From there, we create a personalized plan that addresses your specific needs and goals.
Treatment may include hands-on manual therapy, targeted exercises, movement retraining, and functional activities that help improve strength, reduce pain, and restore mobility. Our therapists also focus on movement habits that may be placing extra stress on your back while your knee heals.
Throughout treatment, we’ll regularly track your progress and make adjustments along the way so you continue moving toward greater comfort, confidence, and independence.