Physical therapy and orthopaedic care work closely to enhance the health and well-being of individuals with musculoskeletal disorders.
Orthopaedic physiotherapy is a medical field utilising non-invasive techniques and exercises to help individuals with impairments, chronic diseases, and injuries. This therapy technique improves patients’ range of motion, alleviates pain, and restores functionality.
Orthopedic care encompasses diagnosing, treating, and rehabilitating musculoskeletal injuries affecting the bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, and muscles. That said, let’s discuss the benefits of physical therapy in orthopedic care in the next section.
Benefits of Physical Therapy in Orthopedic Care
Physical therapy is a crucial component of orthopedic care and offers several advantages to those with musculoskeletal disorders. Some benefits of physical therapy in orthopedic care are listed below:
- Alleviates Pain and Reduces Inflammation
Stretching, manual therapy, and massage are physical treatments that can help treat painful and inflamed body parts. These therapeutic methods help increase blood flow and release endorphins, natural painkillers, lowering stress and tension. People can get respite and enhance their quality of life with less pain and inflammation.
- Prompted Flexibility and Range of Motion
Exercises and other vital procedures used in physical therapy can help afflicted joints and muscles regain flexibility and range of motion. Orthopedic physiotherapy reduces stiffness and improves movement, which is crucial for people with arthritis or those recovering from surgery. Additionally, an increased range of motion and flexibility can make it easier for people to go about their daily lives.
- Boosts Strength and Endurance
Physical therapy can improve strength and endurance in the afflicted muscles and joints. People can do their daily tasks efficiently and avoid frequent injuries. A person’s physical health and fitness can be on a good track with improved strength and endurance.
- Enhances Joint Recovery
Physical therapy can help speed recovery due to operation or injury. Physical therapy enhances blood flow, lowers inflammation, and improves tissue repair. These physical therapies work optimally for sportspeople or others with physically demanding jobs.
- Reduces the Chances of Injuries and Disabilities
Strength, flexibility, and balance can all be improved with physical therapy to prevent accidents and disabilities. Physical therapists can create customized training plans to help lower the risk of further injuries in patients by identifying areas of weakness or instability. Those with a history of injuries or chronic diseases may find this helpful.
There are various approaches to physical therapy in orthopedic care. So, let’s understand it in detail below.
Approaches to Physical Therapy in Orthopedic Care
Many physical therapy techniques are applicable to help patients recover from injuries, control chronic illnesses, and enhance their general physical health. The following are some of the main methods used in orthopedic physical therapy:
- Thorough Assessment
A thorough assessment and evaluation are carried out before beginning physical therapy to determine the underlying cause of the person’s disease or injury. A physical examination, a patient’s medical history review, and diagnostic tests like X-rays or MRIs are required to do so. This data can create tailored treatment strategies that cater to the individual’s care requirements.
- Implementing Proper Goal-Setting and Treatment Planning
Physical therapists often collaborate with the patient to establish specific goals for their treatment after proper assessment and evaluation. Orthopedic physiotherapy may entail creating a recovery schedule, defining particular behaviors or movements, and outlining a strategy for accomplishing those objectives.
- Therapy and Other Medical Prescriptions
Physical therapists may employ several manual treatment techniques to help relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and improve mobility. These treatment methods include joint mobilization, muscle activation and strengthening exercises, stretching etc. Patients in a two-year research with spinal stenosis saw the same outcomes whether they underwent surgery or engaged in physical therapy for six weeks. Also, they could suggest particular stretches or exercises that patients can perform at home or in the clinic to increase strength, flexibility, and range of motion.
- Cold/hot therapy
Both heat and ice were found to help reduce muscular injury in a 2015 research with 100 participants. However, cold therapy applied very away after vigorous activity was more successful in preventing muscle soreness.
- Techniques Employed
Physical therapists can help people recover from injuries or manage chronic diseases using several modalities and techniques besides manual treatment and exercise prescription. These include laser therapy, heat therapy, electrical stimulation, or cold therapy.
- Undertaking Patient Education and Self-Management
Ultimately, clients will often receive instruction and direction from physical therapists on self-managing their ailment or injury. It might entail imparting knowledge on good body mechanics, offering guidance on preventing future accidents and creating a self-management strategy that is carried out even after physical treatment.
But even with the required approaches, physical therapy has some challenges, which are discussed in detail below.
Challenges with Physical Therapy in Orthopedic Care
While physical therapy can be a highly effective approach to orthopedic care, several challenges exist. The followings are some obstacles and restrictions of orthopedic physical therapy.
- Following the Treatment Plans
One of the biggest challenges with physical therapy is getting individuals to adhere to their treatment plan and comply with recommendations for at-home exercises or stretches.
- Individual Differences and Limitations
Every person is different, with their own set of physical limits and co-morbidities, which presents another hurdle. It necessitates individualized physical treatment, which can be difficult and time-consuming depending on the patient’s needs and goals.
- Time and Expenses
Physical therapy can take time, especially for those needing many sessions or protracted recovery. However, for some people, especially those without insurance or limited financial resources, the expense of physical therapy might be a deterrent.
- Access to Healthcare Services
Physical therapy might be complex, especially in rural or low-income locations. Some people may find it challenging to get the required care, control their illness, or heal from an accident.
- Integration With Other Healthcare Providers
Physical therapy must be linked with other healthcare practitioners to ensure the patient receives a thorough approach to care. It can be difficult, especially if there is a lack of coordination across several specializations or inadequate provider communication.
Summing up!
Orthopedic physiotherapy is essential to orthopedic care since it aids in injury recovery, chronic disease management, and enhancement of physical health and mobility. During injury recovery, orthopedic physiotherapy helps patients regain strength, flexibility, and range of motion.
It can help patients recover faster and more fully, reducing the risk of future complications. To sum up, physical therapists can assist people in attaining the benefits of physical therapy.