Post Operative Physiotherapy

A holistic approach requires a broad range of skills.

Techniques in surgery have improved massively in recent years, and we are lucky to have some amazing surgeons in Edinburgh and the Central belt. But often the outcome of your surgery will depend on what you do after the operation. Post operative Physiotherapy should follow a well structured rehabilitation programme or you might not get the result you are looking for. Most surgical procedures will have recommended evidence based physiotherapy protocols that if adhered to will provide the best framework for a good recovery. Physis Physiotherapy have access to these and we are used to following them.  Often your surgeon will have special instructions regarding the way you are to be progressed and close communication is helpful in this situation.

Not all patients progress the same post surgery

Often people have had years of dealing with the pain prior to the surgery, during which time their function and general conditioning may have deteriorated. This clearly takes longer to recover from, as the body adapts to the new pain-free state and improved levels of function. Gradually loading the area over time is a skill and we have the means to monitor your progress and give you the green light to progress your activity levels.

Physiotherapists are part of your surgical team

Your surgeon wants to know you are in trusted hands and that you are progressing well. We are able to measure your progress through various forms of objective assessment. This may include range of movement, strength and functional agility/dexterity (depending on the surgery and your goals). We will write to your consultant to update them in time for your review appointments. Working as a team ensures that you are well looked after from early recovery to the final stages of your rehabilitation. We will endeavor to keep you fit through the process, so that when your injury is ready to return to normal, the rest of you is too.

Some of the surgical procedures we provide physiotherapy for:

Here are some of the common elective surgical procedures we are used to dealing with:

Spinal surgery

  • Microdiscectomy
  • Discectomy
  • Decompression surgery
  • Laminectomy
  • Stabilisation

Upper limb surgery

  • Shoulder reconstruction
  • Shoulder stabilisation
  • Subacromial decompression
  • Elbow soft tissue release 
  • Carpal tunnel decompression
  • Fasciectomy (needle,surgical)

Lower limb surgery

  • Total hip replacement
  • Hip Arthroscopy
  • Total knee replacement
  • High tibial osteotomy
  • Knee arthroscopy
  • Knee menisectomy, meniscal repair
  • Knee mosaicplasty
  • Anterior or Posterior Cruciate Reconstruction
  • Ankle lateral ligament reconstruction
  • Achilles tendon repair
  • Achilles tendon debridement
  • Toe surgery

General surgery

  • Mastectomy
  • Various Gynaecological Surgeries
  • Post Fracture surgery

This list is of only some of the procedures we deal with but there are many more conditions.

If you have any questions about your recovery please feel free to ask us. Phone us on 0131 478 4646, or email [email protected]