Fracturing or breaking a bone can be painful, overwhelming, and intimidating. You immediately worry about how you will get around over the next couple of months. You also have to plan for your medical care and surgery might be a part of the treatment plan. The recovery from the surgery will be a long one and will require a lot of motivation and persistence.
Use your orthopedic surgeon as a source of information
You will likely have a lot of questions both before and following your surgery. While the internet can be a great way to obtain a large amount of medical information, it can also be overwhelming. You never know what information comes from a respected source and it can be difficult to distinguish which medical information applies to your medical care, and which information does not. Your orthopedic surgeon knows your medical situation better than anyone and can be an invaluable source of information.
Utilize post surgery physical therapy
Many orthopedic surgeons recommend physical therapy for rehabilitation. You are likely to feel tired and you might be in some pain, so it will be tempting to skip these physical therapy appointments. Additionally, many believe that they do not need assistance in learning to walk or run again. However, you will also find that physical therapy is an extremely valuable resource following surgeries such as hip replacement surgery and joint replacement surgery. Physical therapy not only helps you rehabilitate but also strengthens the surrounding muscles which give your area of surgery more time to heal.
Follow all of your surgeons post operative instructions
Many people also skip their orthopedic surgeons home care tips. The home exercises that your orthopedic surgeon recommends after your knee replacement surgery is more important than you might think. Sitting at home waiting to heal can actually cause your condition to worsen. Your body requires constant movement and exercise and you will weaken the muscles around the surgery area, thus putting you at an increased risk of reinjury. A 2014 study by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons found that 4.7 million Americans were living with artificial knees. The immediate and long term care is extremely important in preserving these artificial joints and bones.
Keep up with regular medical scans
It is likely that your surgeon or follow up physician will want to complete regular scans of the operated area. These medical scans are important in monitoring progress and preventing further damage. Although these scans can be expensive, they are an important part of the recovery process. Make sure you keep all of your medical appointments. Your physician can identify problems with your recovery and surgical area before they become much worse, thus saving you money and time in the long run.
Know when to visit an emergency clinic
It is normal to have some aches and pains following your surgery. It is also normal to have some minor pains during physical therapy. However, major pains should be immediately evaluated by a medical professional. Also, if you injure the same area again, you should head to your local emergency clinic. Bone fractures lead to approximately 3.5 million emergency rooms visits each year. With one in seven Americans having an orthopedic impairment, local emergency clinics are used to these kinds of medical concerns. Your local emergency clinic can provide you with pain reducing treatments and can consult on your orthopedic condition and decide whether or not you should schedule an appointment with your surgeon.
There are many surgical options available today for those patients suffering from bone and joint problems. Although this is an effective treatment method, the recovery process can be long and tiring. As you begin to recover from your orthopedic operation, make sure that you are prepared for physical therapy and home exercise. You will also want to keep up with your physician appointments and medical scans, as well as knowing where your local emergency clinics are located.