Post-Operative Rehab Is Essential to Promoting Functional Muscle Health
After a major operation due to an athletic injury, it is vital to take the proper steps to recover strength and functionality. Full post-operative healing can take from a few months even up to a year for an athlete. Finding a physical therapist for post-operative physical therapy is essential to
- Promote adequate tissue protection and healing
- Restore pre-injury range of motion
- Minimize muscle loss
- Regaining full function
ROI recognizes that healing times depend on a variety of individual factors, like diet, general overall health conditions, the type of injury and its location. That is why we take an integrated approach. We involve several different types of specialists with individualized plans, bridging the gap between traditional rehabilitation and performance recovery to ensure that the whole athlete is accounted for.
Soft tissue injury is one of the most common types of injuries experienced by elite athletes. Providing tissue healing support is important because muscles are made of tissue. Soft tissue healing occurs in three stages — inflammation, regeneration and remodeling — that happen over a natural time progression. During this healing period, damaged tissue gets replaced by new tissue growth. Tissue repair and healing is a progressive activity that requires calculated stimulation. Physical therapy addresses the following tissue responses to physical stress
- Decreased stress tolerance (atrophy)
- Increased stress tolerance (hypertrophy)
- Injury
Team ROI facilitates accelerated healing of damaged tissue, resulting in a smaller risk of re-injury, chronic pain and dysfunction. Our custom programs ensure that athletes achieve their highest level of post-op performance by addressing their unique goals and needs. We designed our programs using innovative techniques and scientific principles, ensuring that our athletes are ready to encounter a limitless frontier of new possibilities.
Our post-surgery therapy is aided by the latest technology and fully-equipped recovery spaces to curate an optimal recovery experience for each individual athlete. Thanks to our holistic approach, which integrates physical therapy, nutrition, strength and conditioning, and other therapies like massage, athletes are able to return to competition shape faster.
What to Expect During the Post-Op Rehabilitation Process
There are several traffic stops related to the three stages of soft tissue healing to help athletes visualize the progression of their post-op recovery. The inflammation stage can take 24–72 hours. Applying the R.I.C.E. method, which entails rest, ice, compression and elevation, is useful during this time window. From there, regeneration occurs. This can take up to eight weeks. The last stage, remodeling, can take anywhere from six weeks to a year.
Once you can function without the assistance of a crutch or a brace and have been cleared by your surgeon, it’s up to you to determine when it’s time to get to work regaining the function, strength and mobility lost pre-op and as a result of your initial recovery time. The experts at Team ROI are here to advise you on the best way forward, so you can make the best decision for you.
When you’re ready to regain your edge, our team is here to create a customized regimen of stretches and targeted exercises designed to help you regain strength and mobility. Our recovery experts will track and monitor your progress, adjusting your program as needed to get you back to peak performance quickly, while also incorporating relaxing therapies into your routine.
Team ROI’s experts are with you at every step of the way, to help you make a full recovery and return to sport with continued monitoring to avoid re-injury.
Post-Operative Rehab Services Are Provided by Residency-Trained Sports Physical Therapists
At the core of rehabilitation is performing the right exercises at the right time and in the right amounts. Our team of physical therapists create a specialized plan for each individual that incorporates holistic wellness through specific exercises, stretches and other customized activities. They understand how to deliver exercise interventions that decrease functional limitations, disability, and pain to achieve desired goals. From there, they can assist you in rebuilding strength and increasing activity tolerance through targeted exercises.
Our residency-trained physical therapists have experience with collegiate and professional athletes, overseeing care that facilitates their return to sport as efficiently as possible. With expertise in the application of various intervention types — such as exercise, postural instruction, orthotic devices, and different recovery modalities — our physical therapists know how to promote faster healing and recovery and track progress. Plus, we offer a range of complementary rehabilitative services that can be combined for optimal results.
When it comes to post-op rehabilitation, it is important to find a trustworthy team with a proven track-record of science-based, hands-on experience. Reach out to our team today or call us at (512) 872-4397 to get started on your post-op recovery.