Marcia was not looking forward to rehabilitating after her total knee replacement. She knew the experience would be lengthy and challenging, and she worried she would experience too much pain to do it properly. But then her physical therapists made a suggestion: Had she considered aquatic therapy for post-surgical recovery?
Marcia was familiar with exercising in the water, thanks to aqua aerobics classes at her local gym. But she hadn’t considered the benefits of water exercise might translate to physical therapy.
She had some concerns; namely, she worried that her surgical site might become infected. Fortunately, after her wound closed fully and her therapist waterproofed it, Marcia began her rehabilitation journey in the pool.
This turned out to be the right decision for her. Buoyed by the water, Marcia could more easily complete her early mobilization exercises. She experienced less pain in the pool than with her land-based exercises, and she left each PT session feeling refreshed and confident in her recovery.
At Ohana Physical Therapy, we believe in the power of aquatic therapy for post-surgical recovery. Our team will show you customized exercises that use water’s unique benefits and help restore range of motion, reduce pain, and build strength.
To learn more about the role of aquatic therapy in post-operative rehab, call our CO clinic to schedule an appointment!
Why Early Post-Operative Rehabilitation is So Important
Most orthopedic surgeries, including total joint replacements, ligament reconstructions, and rotator cuff repairs, will take six months to a year before they’re completely rehabilitated.
“Completely rehabilitated” means that not only has the surgical site healed, but that affected joint has regained its strength and mobility–and not just to the levels they were at before the surgery, either. Our goal is to restore or improve function to where it was before the injury or condition that necessitated surgery in the first place!
One of the best ways to ensure you regain full functionality in your affected joint is through early mobility work–the sooner after surgery, the better. Gentle movement as soon as a few days after your surgery will prevent scar tissue formation that can lead to lingering pain and range of motion restrictions down the line.
Post-surgical rehabilitation is also an important part of pain management. You will experience pain after your procedure, and your surgeon has likely prescribed pain medication to help you through those initial stages. But medication isn’t a long-term solution, and physical therapy can help minimize pain through various methods, including therapeutic exercise.
Unfortunately, land-based exercise in the days immediately following surgery can be extremely challenging. It can be painful and difficult; people often feel discouraged when even the simplest movement feels too intense for them. Aquatic therapy, however, offers a solution.
The Many Benefits of Aquatic Therapy for Post-Surgical Recovery
Think about the last time you were in a swimming pool. All your movements were slowed down, and it took more effort to, say, swing your arm through the water than it did to swing it through the air. At the same time, you probably felt lighter–and it was likely difficult to keep your feet firmly planted on the bottom of the pool!
The experiences speak to two of the main reasons why aquatic therapy is such a great choice for post-operative physical therapy.
That floating feeling is the result of buoyancy. We don’t need to get into the physics of it to understand that buoyancy relieves the pressure of gravity on your body–including your joints. This means that water-based exercise will often feel “easier” because you can move more freely and without pain.
But there’s another important property to consider, and that’s density. Density is the reason you move more slowly in the water, and those slowed-down movements actually mean your muscles are working as hard as they would on land. This means that simple movements (such as walking) build more strength in and of themselves when performed underwater.
This density can also help reduce swelling, a common concern after surgery. The pressure exerted on your body by the water itself helps get your blood flowing as you exercise, which reduces pressure and helps lessen the intensity of your pain.
Of course, aquatic therapy at Ohana Physical Therapy isn’t like swimming in a community pool. One crucial difference is that the water is heated (usually around 85-90 degrees), which has additional therapeutic benefits, including increased blood flow, promoting muscle relaxation and healing.
What to Expect During Your Aquatic Therapy Sessions
The Ohana Physical Therapy team will work closely with you, your surgeon, and other care team members to ensure you can begin your rehabilitation as soon as possible! We’ll develop a customized rehabilitation plan that focuses on the following:
- Managing pain and reducing swelling
- Improving mobility and range of motion
- Building strength
- Restoring full day-to-day functionality to your affected joint
We can begin aquatic rehabilitation as soon as it’s safe for you to do so–which, as Marcia learned, can be quite soon, sometimes within the first week or so. In fact, early aquatic therapy may lead to improved outcomes at the three-month mark than land-based therapy.
Our therapists will gently guide you through your personalized rehabilitation program, focusing on mobility and strength. Aquatic therapy is not the same as swimming; you’ll perform most exercises in hip- or chest-deep water, mirroring activities you can do on land.
As you improve, we’ll increase the intensity of your exercises, including bringing you out on land for further strength and functionality training. You’ll be surprised by all you can do after rehabilitating in the water!
Experience the Benefits of Aquatic Therapy for Post-Surgical Recovery for Yourself
Do you have an orthopedic surgery coming out? Ohana Physical Therapy’s aquatic therapy center in CO is a great choice for all your post-operative needs. To learn more about whether or not you’d benefit from aquatic therapy for post-surgical rehabilitation, schedule an appointment with us today!
