Physical Therapy After Surgery...
After an ankle surgery (or any surgery), physical therapy plays a crucial role in rehabilitation. After an initial period of non-weight bearing, your therapist will guide you to apply load to the affected joint in a gradual, progressive manner. Techniques to facilitate rehabilitation following ankle surgery include:
Electrical Stimulation – Reduces pain and improves circulation in connective tissues during the immobilization period. Also helps reduce swelling.
Joint Mobilization – This includes a range of specialized techniques designed to encourage joint mobility. Physical therapists are uniquely qualified to perform these techniques. This helps improve joint motion and facilitate a return to full function as quickly as possible.
Massage – Therapeutic massage is used to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation and swelling. Massage helps reduce muscle spasms following surgery and flush toxins from affected regions.
Exercise – A customized training program will be developed to reduce pain, improve strength, encourage stability and prevent additional injury. Gait and balance training are an important part of the recovery program.
Wrapping and Bracing – A specially fitted ankle brace will provide stability and support as the patient resumes daily activities. The dependence on the brace is reduced over a period until it is no longer needed. This allows the patient to lead an active lifestyle while maintaining stability and protection for healing joints.