Orthopaedic care includes diagnosing and treating patients with the focus of ensuring rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries. These injuries affect the bones, muscles, ligaments and joints. The aim is to use non-surgical and safe exercises and workouts to help patients with long term diseases and/or injuries.Physical therapy hence, is an important component of orthopaedic care as it helps to regain movement, increase the range of motion and to alleviate pain.
Benefits of Physical Therapy –
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- Reduced inflammation and pain- Stretching, massage, physiotherapy and other physical treatments are therapeutic techniques because they reduce inflammation. They serve as natural painkillers by increasing blood flow and releasing endorphins. Patients experience relief and enhanced quality of life as the stress and tension is lowered along with the pain.
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- Increased flexibility and motion range- Patients who suffer from frozen joints and stiffness can experience reduced movements and muscle flexibility. Physical therapy can be a vital tool to help such patients, and others, especially those suffering from arthritis and those recovering from surgery. Furthermore, as flexibility increases, daily tasks become much more simpler and less burdening.
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- Increased flexibility and motion range- Patients who suffer from frozen joints and stiffness can experience reduced movements and muscle flexibility. Physical therapy can be a vital tool to help such patients, and others, especially those suffering from arthritis and those recovering from surgery. Furthermore, as flexibility increases, daily tasks become much more simpler and less burdening.
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- Increased strength- Patients can effectively restore strength and endurance in the affected musculoskeletal areas, helping them carry out daily tasks and avoid frequent injuries. Additionally, physical health and fitness goals can also be achieved with increased strength.
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- Accelerated joint recovery- When recovering from a surgery or an injury, physical therapy is one of the best ways to enhance the recovery speed because blood flow is enhanced, inflammation is lowered and tissue repair process is sped up. Therefore, physical therapy is the optimal choice for quick recovery and to get back to physically demanding jobs.
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- Reduced chances of injuries and disabilities- Physical therapy can significantly help prevent accidents and further disabilities as it boosts strength, flexibility and balance. Custom-made and patient specific training plans help to identify the weak areas, which ultimately lower the risk of instability.
Methods used in Physical Therapy for Orthopaedic Care
- In-depth Assessment- An in-depth assessment and body evaluation is necessary before starting out physical therapy. This evaluation helps determine the root cause of a person’s injury through physical examination, medical history review as well tests like X-rays and MRIs, wherever needed. All this information is then used to create individual care strategies.
(Image source: https://www.everydayhealth.com/) - Goal Setting & Treatment Planning- The patient, along with their physical therapist and/or physiotherapist establish clear and achievable goals, post evaluation. A recovery schedule is set with defined movements and other behaviours which will help achieve these goals.
- Therapy and Prescription Medicines- Several manual techniques are employed to help the patient regain movement and improve mobility, such as joint mobilisation, muscle activation, strength exercises, stretching etc. Prescription medicines such as pain killers might be used in extreme circumstances to relieve excessive aggravation in the affected area. Cold/hot therapy is also a time old solution to help with muscular injuries. Cold therapies have proved to be more successful in preventing muscle soreness.Other techniques such as laser therapy and electrical stimulation can also be employed, wherever necessary.
- Patient Education- Ultimately, self management is the most important part and patients are educated by their physical therapists, giving them knowledge on body mechanics. A self management strategy is important to help prevent future accidents and to assist in any challenges that the patients may face in the future.
