In general, when an injury is diagnosed, the first thing that is recommended is a period of rest. This may provide some benefit in the short-term, but prolonged inactivity can actually result in lengthening recovery times.
In cases where an injury is diagnosed and surgical repair is recommended, the time between initial diagnosis and surgery can be a matter of weeks, or sometimes even months. More often than not this time is wasted by resting for the duration, when it could be better used for specific activity as a preparation for the surgery.
Pre-operative Rehabilitation
By starting the rehabilitation process before surgery it is possible to prepare the body for the rigors of the procedure itself and also promote a better environment for recovery to take place after the procedure.
Early, pre-operative rehabilitation may involve a degree of manual therapy and massage to flush swelling away from the area. The practitioner may then progress to exercises aimed to mobilise the joint if necessary, but also to encourage good movement patterns and combat compensatory patterns before they are generated. Depending on the structures involved, a strength program may be recommended to focus on specific areas known to benefit the recovery process.
In some cases, the patients pre-operative weight and fitness levels are vital in determining whether the surgery will be successful. It may be that certain procedures will not be undertaken until the patient has reached a target weight or level of fitness. In this situation, suitable pre-operative rehabilitation is vital for encouraging these changes.
In certain cases, the pre-operative exercise plan can be continued following surgery as an early introduction back to movement and function.
Post-operative Rehabilitation
Following a surgical procedure, early rehabilitation may again focus on promoting mobility and controlling the inflammation associated with invasive surgery. Your practitioner will have the knowledge to prescribe specific exercises to aid in mobilising the joint or scar tissue, without causing further damage. This can be vital to ensure your full range of motion is recovered.
Appropriate movement patterns will be encouraged to improve daily function and your practitioner will guide your exercise progression in order to continue your recovery.
Post-operative rehabilitation can then be used to identify weaknesses or compensations that may have caused the initial injury. These can be addressed to reduce the risk of a recurrence of the problem.
Depending on the goals you want to achieve following surgery, post-operative rehabilitation can then progress to retraining important movement patterns needed for your specific sport or activity. The later stages of rehabilitation may include a return to speed, agility and power training in preparation for a return to full activity. It is also possible to outline areas for continued development as part of a preventative conditioning program following a return to sport.