Following a surgery on an individual’s hip, knee, shoulder, wrist, hand, neck, foot, ankle, or spine, physical therapy can help attain the optimal outcome. Your Spine and Orthopedic Solutions physical therapist will conduct a thorough evaluation and establish a plan of care to help reduce pain, restore range of motion, improve strength, and ultimately return the person to daily activities or sport. On the first appointment, the therapist will review any precautions, guidelines to recovery, and discuss the stages and time frames to recovery. In all cases, the individual’s personal goals will be established and monitored through the course of care. These factors will all lead to a customized program that may include:
- Strategies for pain reduction including modalities such as ice, heat, and electrical stimulation
- Flexibility exercises to improve range of motion
- Exercises to strengthen muscles
- Posture, balance, and coordination training
- Gait analysis and training
- Manual therapy
- Self-care training
- Home exercise instruction