Maggie Evans 
Orthopedic rehabilitation is a crucial part of the recovery process for many patients. While it can be challenging to find a good orthopedist, there are some steps you can take to ensure that you get the best care possible. Keep reading to learn how orthopedic rehabilitation works and what factors might influence your decision for treatment. We'll also review some common treatments and exercises that may help speed up your recovery time.
What is Orthopedic Rehabilitation?
Orthopedic rehabilitation is a form of physical therapy that helps people recover from an injury or chronic condition that has impacted the musculoskeletal system, which includes your bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, joints, and connective tissue. Rehabilitation includes exercises and treatments to help the injured area heal, alongside other services like massage therapy. It can also be used to help people recover from surgery.
How Does Orthopedic Rehabilitation Work?
Orthopedic rehabilitation typically starts with an evaluation by the orthopedist, who will ask you some questions about your injury and history of injuries or illnesses in this area. The doctor might perform various tests, including range-of-motion measurements, strength testing for muscles around the injured area, and imaging techniques to assess the injury. This evaluation is often followed by a treatment plan that will include exercises or physical therapy, medications, and other services like massage therapy.
*Orthopedic rehabilitation may also be used as part of an athlete's training program to prevent injuries from occurring again in the future.
Finding the Right Orthopedic Rehabilitation
The right orthopedist for you will depend on your needs and the type of injury you have sustained. Different people are better suited to certain medicines, so it's essential to find a doctor who can give you the care that best meets your specific goals.
Some factors that may influence include:
- Experience with the type of injury you have.
- Experience with your specific needs or goals for recovery.
- Location and office hours.
- Costs associated with the treatments they offer, such as physical therapy sessions.
If you're looking for a comprehensive orthopedic rehab program that offers more than one service, it is important to find an orthopedic rehab clinic that provides the services you need.
Common Treatments and Exercises
The specific treatment you receive will depend on the type of injury you have. Common treatments include:
Manual therapy techniques – If a doctor finds an issue with your spine or joints, they might use manual therapy to break down scar tissue and increase mobility in the area. This can be done using gentle pressure and stretching exercises, massage therapy strokes, or a combination thereof.
Physical Therapy – Physical therapists can provide you with an exercise program to help improve mobility in the injured area through targeted movements that will strengthen your muscles while also reducing pain. As they get to know you better over time, physical therapists might be able to offer suggestions for how to modify or continue your exercise program at home.
Braces and supports – Orthopedists often prescribe braces for people with injuries to the back, neck, or spine to provide stability as they heal. A doctor might also recommend a brace for an injured knee or shoulder that is preventing you from moving normally.
Common exercises include:
Balance and stability exercises – These are often recommended for people with back injuries to improve coordination, prevent falls, and strengthen muscles that support your spine.
Strengthening exercises – If a doctor finds that you lack strength in certain areas like your hip or hamstring muscle groups, they might recommend exercises to help build the strength you need. These can be done using free weights, resistance bands, or other equipment at an orthopedist's office or in the comfort of your own home.
Range-of-motion exercises – If there is a restriction on how far you are able to move in certain areas like your back, neck, or shoulder, a doctor might recommend doing range-of-motion exercises to help increase your ability to move.
Postural correction – A physical therapist may teach you different ways of sitting and standing that can help correct any issues with the way you are currently positioned in order to prevent future injuries from occurring.
Final Takeaways
Orthopedic rehabilitation is a process that may be used to help speed up the recovery time for issues like injury, surgery, or disease. Many factors may influence your decision about who to see for treatment, including what type of orthopedic issue you're dealing with and how long ago it occurred.
As part of orthopedic rehabilitation, patients often undertake exercises such as toning muscles or range-of-motion movements. If you think this might help speed up your healing process, contact Rehab.com today.
