Sometimes surgery can seem unavoidable for many people who are exploring treatments for relief from back, shoulder, hip, elbow, or leg pain. However, joint pain and mobility issues do not always have to lead to surgery.
Surgery is not always the quickest path to recovery because physical therapy and rehabilitation treatment is often necessary for months afterward. Trying physical therapy first can potentially eliminate surgery and cut the downtime from procedure to recovery.
Physical therapy will help you strengthen the muscles associated with an injury and improve surrounding muscle tissue. Strength disparities can worsen your overall health and lead to additional injury if they are not addressed. Physical therapy also helps improve post-surgical rehabilitation by addressing scar tissue, pain, lack of strength, range of motion, and more.
At AOA Orthopedic Specialists we provide physical therapy. It is a noninvasive treatment option for treating pain. In some cases, physical therapy can even be as effective as surgery that can delay some procedures and eliminate others.
Physical therapy can also prevent future surgeries if you suffer from any sort of degenerative condition. Taking care of joint pain through the appropriate physical therapy can potentially avoid surgeries later.
Physical therapy is not necessarily a cure-all; however, it can be a viable option over surgery. One thing to be aware of is that physical therapy takes time, and patients must put lots of effort to see results.
Why Physical Therapy is an Important Part of Orthopedic Care
The role of physical therapy in orthopedic care is a key component of preventative measures, rehabilitation, and mobility when an injury or chronic pain is making daily tasks too difficult to achieve for a patient. It can also prevent the quality of life we all want and deserve.
If you have an injury or are suffering from chronic pain do not delay getting the care you need. Talk with a doctor about your best course of treatment.
One of the reasons physical therapy plays such an important role in orthopedic care is that it provides preventative measures to delay orthopedic surgery that might include joint replacements, torn rotator cuffs, herniated disks, etc. It focuses on issues involving the musculoskeletal system which include bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues.
Preventative physical therapy aids to exhaust all measures before surgery and controlling small injuries from turning into bigger ones.
For patients who have injuries or chronic pain that must have surgery, an orthopedic surgeon will also have physical therapy as part of the treatment plan. The goal of physical therapy after surgery is to help restore mobility and function to the part of the body that underwent the procedure.
What Are the Benefits of Physical Therapy?
Physical therapy can help both men and women as well as people of all ages who have medical conditions, illnesses or injuries that can limit their regular ability to move and continue their daily lives.
A physical therapy program can help you return to your prior level of functioning, encourage your normal level of activities, and assist with needed medical and lifestyle changes that help minimize future injury and improve your overall health and well-being.
Primary care doctors often refer patients to physical therapy when they diagnose a particular problem because it is considered a conservative approach to managing problems.
Here are some benefits of a physical therapy program:
- To reduce, manage or eliminate pain.
- To avoid surgery, if possible.
- To improve mobility issues.
- To recover from or a sports injury.
- To prevent a sports injury.
- To improve balance.
- To recover from a fall.
- To manage diseases of the heart or lungs.
- To manage diabetes and vascular conditions.
- To recover from a stroke.
- To manage the specific health concerns of women.
- To manage issues of aging.
We Can Help
At AOA Orthopedic Specialists we determine the best treatment plan by performing an evaluation to learn more about the cause of your injury or chronic pain. The assessment will measure the strength, balance, and range of motion of the injured area.
AOA Orthopedic Specialists has provided orthopedic care to the Dallas and Fort Worth area for over 20 years. Now the largest orthopedic practice in North Texas, AOA serves head to toe orthopedic, spine, sports medicine, and physical therapy needs. We provide physical therapy, surgery, and rehabilitation services for our patients.
FAQs
Q: What exactly is an orthopedic physical therapist?
A: Orthopedic physical therapists are physical therapists who have received additional training and education in orthopedics. It is a branch of medicine that focuses on the musculoskeletal system and injuries to ligaments, tendons, muscles, and bones.
Q: What are the types of physical therapy?
A: There are five practice areas that include orthopedic, geriatric, neurological, cardiopulmonary, and pediatric.
Q: What do physical therapists do?
A: Physical therapists will examine you to determine what is causing you pain and develop a treatment plan to improve their ability to move, reduce and manage pain, and restore functions. Physical therapists can also help to avoid any permanent disabilities. They can have a profound positive effect on people’s lives.
