Orthopedic Post-Operative Rehabilitation

Post-Operative patients are prioritized for their initial evaluation appointment, with a guarantee we will offer them an appointment time within two days of their surgeon’s desired rehab start date.

Post-Operative specialists meet on a regular basis to discuss the latest in post-operative care. Discussion topics include: the latest in post-op protocols and surgeries being performed by our local Orthopedic Surgeons, as well as those of renown surgeons and physical therapists across the country.   Additionally, they may share ideas to improve communication with our surgeons to ensure that the entire care team is working together. If a surgeon specifically wants a patient seen by our post-op specialist team, they just need to indicate it on the PT referral. The majority of typical surgeries, though, can be handled excellently by any one of our team of skilled PT’s or OT’s.

List of most common surgeries:

• Total joint replacements (Knee, hip, shoulder, ankle)
• Knee surgeries (ACL and other ligamentous reconstruction, meniscectomy and meniscal repairs, MPFL, quadricep, and patellar tendon repair)
• Hip surgeries (Labral repair)
• Shoulder surgeries (Rotator cuff repair, labral repair, capsular reconstruction)
• Ankle/foot surgeries (Achilles tendon and other tendon repairs, ankle fusion, bunionectomy)
• Spinal surgeries (Fusion, laminectomy, discectomy)
• Fracture repair surgeries
• Arthroscopic surgeries (Impingement, decompression, debridements)

Why are pre-operative appointments important?

One or two pre-op appointments are recommended to facilitate improved surgical outcomes by teaching patients the following:

• How to prepare for surgery
• What to expect directly after surgery
• What they should and shouldn’t be doing between surgery and their first PT appointments

Why is post-operative PT important?

• To educate patients on what is SAFE to do and what activities should be avoided to protect the surgical outcomes.
• To assist patients in regaining normal function through hands-on therapy, specific stretches and joint mobilizations and progressive strengthening and ROM exercise guided by agreed upon protocols.
• To improve efficiency of movement and proper control of muscles that have been affected by surgical procedures.

At Kitsap Physical Therapy, we have therapists who are trained in evidence-based protocols for post-operative physial therapy, offering location preference and convenience for patients.