Orthopedic rehabilitation refers to the physical therapy interventions applied to restore patients to their previous condition after medical or surgical orthopedic treatments.
After orthopedic surgeries, cast applications, splinting, or prosthesis use, patients often experience stiffness and rigidity in their joints. Following cast or splint treatment, the patient is usually unable to use the affected joint as smoothly and comfortably as before. This is due to immobility experienced in the joint and the muscles connected to it.
Orthopedic rehabilitation is applied in all orthopedic cases related to the musculoskeletal system that require either conservative or surgical treatment. Before and after orthopedic interventions (such as surgery, casting, splinting, prosthesis), patients must be evaluated and a short-, medium-, and long-term physical therapy plan should be developed. The orthopedic and physical therapy specialists, along with their assistants, should discuss and plan the patient’s future from the beginning, establishing an orthopedic rehabilitation protocol.
The goal is not only to bring the patient to the highest functional level and rehabilitate them but also to preserve the patient’s current condition and the surgery performed. Orthopedic rehabilitation is applied in many conditions such as:
Joint stiffness and circulation problems after fractures and dislocations,
Before and after surgeries for meniscus, ligament injuries, and other sports injuries,
Scoliosis and spinal curvatures,
Flatfoot, foot problems, and post-sports injury treatments,
Before and after orthopedic surgeries like prosthesis.
And many other diseases benefit from orthopedic rehabilitation.
The aim of orthopedic rehabilitation is to restore or improve lost bodily functions due to skeletal abnormalities. The goal is to return the patient to their previous healthy or closest condition, enable them to return to work and profession, and help them live independently without relying on others.
Patients who will undergo orthopedic rehabilitation are evaluated by both the orthopedic surgeon and the physical therapy specialist along with the physiotherapist, after which a personalized rehabilitation program is designed. The rehabilitation process is determined by the patient’s potential, contribution, and compliance with the treatment, and is carried out through close one-on-one work with physiotherapists.
Amputation rehabilitation: Surgical removal of part or all of an arm or leg bone. About 85% of amputations occur in the legs for various reasons. Once the patient is stabilized, orthopedic rehabilitation begins focusing on stump rehabilitation. Prostheses and orthoses are applied to the lost area, and rehabilitation continues according to the location and condition of the prosthesis.
Endoprosthesis surgeries: These surgeries involve joint prostheses mainly in large joints such as knees, hips, and shoulders. Efforts are made to prevent new problems from occurring post-surgery. Orthopedic rehabilitation should start as soon as the patient stabilizes.
Fracture rehabilitation: Physical therapy applications aimed at reducing swelling and pain and increasing blood flow are used during the healing period of closed or operated fractures. After cast removal or surgery, training with crutches or canes and gait balance training should be given, alongside starting orthopedic rehabilitation.
Scoliosis rehabilitation: Physical therapy and rehabilitation are very important before and after surgery.
Knee ligament injuries (e.g., ACL injuries),
Meniscus damage and tears in the knee,
Muscle and tendon injuries due to trauma in shoulders and elbows,