How Transitional Rehab Helps With Orthopedic Surgery Recovery

Once your orthopedic surgery has been successfully completed, you may be feeling that it’s time to get back to life as normal, but it’s likely that your body says otherwise. For many individuals, some rehabilitation is going to be necessary to regain strength and balance in order to return to as normal a life as possible.

During your stay at a transitional rehab facility, you will work with a team of occupational and physical therapists and other medical specialists to learn the best and safest ways to return to your normal daily routine. These daily activities can include bathing, getting dressed, walking, and any other skills you need to get back on your feet. You will also be taught specific physical exercises to help improve the muscle strength and movement in the area of the body where the surgery was done.

Why do you need rehab after orthopedic surgery?

Rehab often begins while you are still in the hospital. A therapist will work with you to get you out of bed and walking around your room or facility hallways, and teach you certain exercises that will help you prepare for your discharge from the hospital.

After you are discharged, recovering at a transitional rehabilitation center allows your body the time, and rest, it needs to fully recover in a shorter amount of time. Transitional rehab helps speed up the amount of time it takes to recover, regardless of the type of orthopedic surgery you have had. The time you will spend in short term care depends on several factors, including the type of surgery you had and the overall condition of your health.

Successful recovery will take time and require effort on your part, but it will be worth it in the end. Key goals of a successful transitional rehab program include:

• Pain reduction.
• Regaining muscle strength.
• Learning to safely walk again.
• Improving range of motion and movement in the part of the body where you had surgery.
• Relearning to do daily activities like getting dressed and bathing, getting in and out of the car, getting up from a chair or bed, and climbing stairs.

A team of medical experts are on staff to work with you and guide you through your journey to a successful recovery after orthopedic surgery while you are at the transitional rehabilitation center. These may include:

• Physiatrist
  Medical doctor that specializes in short term rehabilitation. The Physiatrist designs a plan for rehabilitation tailored to your individual needs. They oversee this individualized program to ensure you are progressing as you should throughout your stay.
• Physical therapist

Licensed therapist that specializes in helping patients regain strength and balance. They will work with you and teach you specialized exercises to improve the range of motion and strength in the area of the body where you had the surgery.

• Occupational therapist

Licensed therapist who specializes in helping patients regain skills after surgery or illness. Their job is to help you relearn the necessary skill to perform basic daily activities like getting dressed, cooking, bathing, and using the toilet. You will also learn how to use special gadgets, like elastic shoelaces or a dressing stick, that make these daily activities easier.

• Dietician

What you eat and drink during your recovery is just as important as physical and occupational therapy. The body needs proper nutrition to heal, and the dietician will ensure you are properly planning (or eating while in rehab) nutritional, healthy and balanced meals. If your doctor has recommended avoiding sugar, salt, and certain other foods after surgery, the dietician will help you find better choices going forward.

• Speech Therapist

A licensed therapist who specializes in helping individuals relearn skills like talking and swallowing.

• Nurses
  These medical professionals make up a team of caring individuals who tend to your needs during your stay in transitional rehab.
• Psychologist or counselor
  Licensed medical professionals trained to address the emotional needs of patients. They help you manage any stress, anxiety, or depression you may experience after surgery.

Where you recover is just as important as how you recover. It’s important to follow the instructions of the rehabilitation team to the letter, and your hard work will pay off in time. A successful recovery varies by individual, so be as patient as possible as your body heals.

Prodigy Transitional Rehab is located in Edgecombe County and specializes in skilled nursing and transitional rehabilitation. Our focus is providing each patient with a positive rehab experience. Because of these positive experiences, a significant number of our patients return to Prodigy for future rehabilitation needs. Contact us today to learn more.