Everything You Need to Know About Shoulder and Knee Injury Rehabilitation
As an athlete or professional sports player, you probably know that joint injuries can occur at any time during your play, training or exercise. The most common joint injuries occur in your knee or shoulder, and that is why you come across services like shoulder or knee injury rehabilitation. Here's everything you need to know about these services:
Shoulder or Knee Surgery
Severe knee or shoulder injuries may require surgery. The surgeon (an orthopedic surgeon) — especially one who knows that athletes will most likely ask how soon they can get back to their sport — tries his or her best to offer you the treatment that guarantees quick and full recovery. You should know that this is not enough; you have a long road ahead. Full and quick recovery may also depend on rehabilitation activities and your hard work and perseverance.
Shoulder and Knee Rehabilitation Activities
After your surgery, your orthopedic surgeon may want to observe you for several days in the hospital before releasing you; this is to ensure that the surgery was successful and that you are clear of any complications. You are then discharged from the hospital to heal in the comfort of your home. Of course, your doctor may require you to visit the hospital for monitoring; he or she may also require you to carry out some minor movements to prevent clots and stiffness and to allow the circulation of blood.
Based on what the surgeon sees during monitoring, he or she can set a tentative date for intensive rehabilitation. Shoulder and knee rehabilitation activities consist of exercises prescribed by your surgeon to help you regain the normal use of your leg or arm and also hasten healing. They can include stretches, guided movements, massage, guided weight lifting, walks, exercises in swimming pools, etc. A physical therapist is required to guide you through these activities up to a particular time when he or she is no longer needed and it is up to you to conduct the exercises by yourself.
Rehabilitation is conducted in the comfort of your home or at a rehabilitation centre. Where you end up choosing is dependent on factors like affordability, the severity of your injury, accessibility, availability of a rehabilitation specialist, etc.
Do Shoulder and Knee Rehabilitation Take Long?
This depends on your injury, your persistence, your determination and how quickly your body heals. Your physical therapist and doctor will be checking up on you and keeping you informed of how well you are doing. These are also the specialists who will inform you how long the rehabilitation process will take.
To learn more about shoulder or knee injury rehabilitation, contact a doctor.