At Next Level Physiotherapy, John Shanahan (lead physiotherapist) has years of experience in post-surgery physiotherapy and provide top class treatment. Our success and client satisfaction rate following post surgical physiotherapy is very high. John has a wealth of knowledge in rehabilitating elite sports people and non-sports people back to their chosen activity or work after surgery. John has worked in Orthopaedics with the NHS in Scotland and with high level athletes gaining a vast amount of experience rehabilitating people after surgery. When you visit Next Level Physiotherapy Cork you are guaranteed to be in safe, competent and experienced hands. For more information on specific surgery rehabilitation, see our guidance below.
Post surgical procedures that we commonly see in the clinic would be:
- ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) Reconstruction
- Meniscal repair
- Arthroscopy (key hole surgery)
- Spinal surgery
- Total knee replacement
- Total hip replacement
- Ankle surgery
- Achilles tendon repair
- Rotator cuff repair
- Hip surgery
- Elbow surgery
- Wrist surgery
- Shoulder surgery
ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) reconstruction surgery
The ACL is an extremely important ligament in the knee and prevents the tibia (shin bone) from moving forward on the femur (thigh bone). It is also responsible for sensory feedback to the joint during activities such as walking on uneven ground, jumping, and changing direction. The ACL needs to be surrounded by strong and stable muscles to reduce the risk of injury or re-injury. Therefore, it is essential that your physiotherapy is received from someone who will provide an evidenced-based and progressive rehabilitation programme that will ensure a successful recovery.
What you can expect from ACL rehabilitation
John has an excellent insight into the acute post-operative stage of rehab. In this stage, the knee would be swollen, bruised and painful to move. The patient may be walking with crutches for a couple of weeks, as guided by the consultant. Going to a Physiotherapist that has experience in rehabilitating ACL reconstructions to full recovery will give you confidence and reassurance that you are in safe and experienced hands.
ACL rehabilitation is a long process that can last anywhere from 9-12 months and involves advice, education, reassurance, guidance, exercises, manual therapy as indicated and sports-specific exercises. Due to John’s experience working in the Orthopaedic and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy departments in the NHS, sports teams and private practice, he has seen successful and unsuccessful ACL reconstructions. Therefore, John not only knows when and how to progress an ACL reconstruction patient through the phases of rehab but also when they need a referral back to the consultant.
An ACL reconstruction is a major surgery and patients should seek out an experienced, competent and confident Chartered and CORU regulated Physiotherapist that has experience in rehabilitating patients through the various stages of the rehabilitation process. Feel free to contact John at Next Level Physiotherapy for further advice or book an appointment.
Rotator cuff repair surgery
Physiotherapy following a surgical rotator cuff repair operation is essential. The rotator cuff muscles are imperative in stabilising the shoulder and keeping it in position. The rotator cuff muscles are made up of four different muscles called the infraspinatus, supraspinatus, subscapularis and teres minor and they play a major role in stabilising the shoulder. If one of these muscles is impaired, it can significantly affect the power and function of the shoulder and cause a lot of pain and disruption to a person’s everyday life.
What you can expect from rotator cuff post-surgery physio
On completion of the operation, you will be placed in a sling for approximately four weeks. After four weeks have passed the sling will be gradually removed and physiotherapy will begin. The physiotherapist will follow a specific evidence based protocol to ensure a safe and successful recovery. It is essential that a person post rotator cuff repair seeks out a Chartered and CORU regulated Physiotherapist. The advice, rehab and exercises issued in the early stages will set the tone for whether the patient has a speedy recovery or a slow and complicated one. For any further queries about Physiotherapy following a rotator cuff repair, shoulder surgery, please contact us. If you would like to book an appointment, you can do so through our online booking system.
Spinal surgery
There are several different types of spinal surgery that can be undertaken depending on the symptoms, age and lifestyle of the person in question. Your consultant will discuss all the options with you and decide on what the most appropriate type of surgery would be considering the aforementioned factors. Recent medical research has told us that surgery should always be the last resort, and most of the time, is no more successful than Physiotherapy alone. If all other types of treatment have been unsuccessful, then surgery may be beneficial to relieve some of the pain and symptoms.
What to expect from physiotherapy following spinal surgery
Having spinal surgery can be a daunting concept. To ensure top quality care, it’s important to seek out a fully qualified and regulated Physiotherapist. Rehabilitating a patient post-spinal surgery may require liaising with the Orthopaedic consultant depending on his/her post-op guidelines, taking a full case history, discussing goals, fears, activity progression/management and how to overcome these issues. Treatment will focus on advice, education, reassurance, a progressive exercise programme and manual therapy as indicated. For more information on Physiotherapy following spinal surgery or if you would like to book an appointment, please contact us or book online.
Total knee replacement
A total knee replacement is usually undertaken when someone has severe osteoarthritis. Having a total knee replacement is a routine procedure nowadays and patients can be discharged from hospital the following day. In the initial stages, the knee can be swollen and painful to move and you will be mobilising with crutches. Physiotherapy following a total knee replacement is extremely important in helping to regain full strength, independence and mobility.
What to expect from physiotherapy after a knee replacement
The focus of rehab should be on strength, mobility, walking practice, achieving full movement of the knee and increasing activity levels gradually. Manual therapy can also be useful in the early stages to assist with pain reduction and achieving full movement in the knee joint. A Chartered Physiotherapist is always best placed to rehabilitate a person post-total knee replacement, as they have extensive experience and knowledge in anatomy and managing people after surgery. For further information about Physiotherapy following a total knee replacement or to book an appointment, please contact us or book online.
Total hip replacement:
A total hip replacement is normally undertaken when a person has severe osteoarthritis that is impacting on activities of daily life, sleep, work and hobbies. Having a hip replaced nowadays is a routine procedure and patients are normally discharged the next day. Following a total hip replacement, there are normally a few precautions that need to be adhered to for the first six weeks. These will be relayed to the patient from the Orthopaedic consultant or Physiotherapist in the hospital. In the beginning, it can be painful to move the hip and a person’s gait (walking) may be affected. You will be walking with two crutches to begin with. It is essential that a Physiotherapist with experience in Orthopaedic post-surgical rehabilitation is sought out.
What to expect from physiotherapy after a hip replacement
The focus of rehab should be on strength, mobility, balance, gait re-education, achieving full movement of the hip and gradually increasing activity levels. Manual therapy can also be useful in the early stages to assist with pain reduction and speeding up the recovery process. A Chartered Physiotherapist is always best placed to rehabilitate a person post-total hip replacement. For further queries about Physiotherapy following a total hip replacement or to book an appointment, please contact us or book directly online.
Ankle surgery
The ankle is a complex and versatile joint and bears a load several times a person’s body weight when walking or jogging. There are numerous ankle surgeries that can be undertaken depending on what the symptoms are or level trauma that has occurred. The type of surgery selected will be discussed between the patient and the Orthopaedic consultant and an appropriate procedure will be selected, depending on the symptoms and goals of the patient.
What to expect from physiotherapy after ankle surgery
Regardless of the type of surgery, it is essential that Physiotherapy is completed to ensure that full range of motion, strength, balance, neuromuscular control, and sport– or work-specific rehabilitation is carried out. It is essential that a patient seeks out physiotherapy after ankle surgery to ensure that a high level of treatment is received from a competent and regulated health professional. A Chartered Physiotherapist is best-placed to interpret and guide you through post-operative protocols, ensuring a safe and speedy recovery. For further information about Physiotherapy following ankle surgery or to book an appointment, then please contact us or book online.
Achillies Tendon Rupture
The Achilles tendon runs from the calcaneal (heel bone) up the back of the leg and joins with the gastrocnemius and soleus (calf muscles). When the Achilles tendon ruptures this means that there is a complete disconnection in the tendon fibres where it totally separates, and a palpable gap emerges. A suspected Achilles tendon rupture can be easily diagnosed by a Chartered Physiotherapist in the clinic by undertaking a physical examination. The Achilles tendon takes a load of approximately 4 times your body weight through it when walking and up to 8 times your body weight when running, hopping or jumping. Therefore, when the tendon ruptures there will be a notable loss of power when walking or attempting to take part in any physical activity.
What to expect from physiotherapy after Achilles tendon surgery
The normal treatment for a ruptured Achilles tendon would be conservative, meaning non-surgical. Most research studies show that surgical interventions are not any better than conservative and are obviously less invasive. With conservative treatment, the patient would be put in a plaster of Paris (cast) for approximately 2 weeks, non-weight bearing with crutches. Then into an air cast boot for approximately 4-6 weeks. Heel raises would be inserted into the boot. These would be taken out gradually over the next 4 weeks as per consultant post-operative protocol. The patient would gradually increase their weight to full weight-bearing in the boot, to then weaning off the air cast boot entirely over the 6-week period.
From this point onwards, a specific, individualised rehabilitation physiotherapy programme would be followed. This would focus on getting the person back to their, sporting activity , work or hobbies in a safe and time efficient manner. The estimated time frame for a full recovery following an Achilles tendon rupture would be 9-12 months. However, this depends on age and the level of activity the person intends on going back to. If you would like any further information or would like to book an appointment you can contact us here or book online through the website.
Book a post-surgery Physiotherapy appointment today
The post-operative protocol/instructions will vary depending on the type of surgery you receive. The Physiotherapist will liaise with the GP and/or orthopaedic consultant to ensure that the best possible treatment is received. Therefore, it is essential that a Chartered and CORU regulated Physiotherapist is sought such as at Next Level Physiotherapy. Thus ensuring that the patient is in safe, experienced and competent hands. Guaranteeing an efficient and successful recovery. For any further queries on post-surgery Physiotherapy please don’t hesitate to book an appointment with us.