How to Prevent or Delay Surgery With Physical Therapy
Are you tired of persistent pain that worsens no matter what you do? Has your doctor told you that you need surgery for your arthritis that’s “bone on bone?” Our highly skilled physical therapists at Midwest Physical Therapy in Bloomer, WI have proven results helping people postpone or avoid surgery altogether. And if surgery is your best option, we will ensure you are prepared and have the best outcome possible!
Too often, people mistake their pain or loss of mobility as an indication that they should rest and avoid any activity that causes them pain. Another common problem is how many people think ignoring aches and pains long enough will help them go away on their own. In reality, these early warning signs were the body’s signals to get help, and delaying or pushing through only worsened the condition.
Our physical therapists at Midwest Physical Therapy in Bloomer, WI will weed through your symptoms and identify the root cause of your pain and/or dysfunction. We will design a program tailored to your unique situation and give you the tools to prevent, delay or prepare yourself for surgery.
Request an appointment today with one of our Bloomer, WI specialists, and let us help you get back to doing what you love!
Why it’s worth trying physical therapy before you have surgery
As most people know, deciding to have surgery is a major decision that requires careful consideration and should not be rushed into. Although surgery has become increasingly common and is very effective for certain situations, a number of recent studies have shown physical therapy to be as effective and sometimes more effective.
For some people, the pain intensity seems so strong that surgery is the only option. Pain can influence your decision-making, and the severity of pain causes desperation that can lead people to choose surgery without trying to resolve it with physical therapy.
Unfortunately, surgery is no guarantee, and some people have surgery and afterward still have pain, and in some cases, it’s worse. Too many people hope for instant relief and forget that recovery after surgery can be as challenging as dealing with the limitations they had before surgery.
Although there have been significant technological advances in modern medicine, including improved diagnostics and surgical procedures, there have also been significant improvements in physical therapy treatments and outcomes that can prevent, delay or match surgery results.
The most significant advantage of physical therapy before surgery is that there is no risk. On top of that, there are some cases where our Midwest Physical Therapy therapists determine your symptoms are not consistent with the diagnosis and help clarify what exactly is going on, so you can avoid a negative outcome from surgery.
At your Bloomer, WI physical therapy clinic, we can help guide you through the signs and symptoms that confirm or deny your diagnosis and whether or not you can prevent or delay surgery. Our physical therapists are up to date on the most advanced strategies and use cutting-edge treatments proven to resolve the pain, restrictions, weaknesses, and functional limitations associated with most orthopedic conditions.
Examples of conditions that respond to PT as well as surgery
Recent research has demonstrated the importance of physical therapy as an alternative to some surgeries. Our physical therapists are skilled at identifying conditions that respond to treatment and can help you avoid unnecessary surgery. We are dedicated to assisting people in reducing the risk of future surgeries and, if appropriate, making sure you are prepared for surgery to optimize your outcomes.
The research has shown that physical therapy effectively reduces acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain. Evidence has demonstrated manual therapy techniques, mobility, and strengthening exercise, and patient education helps to reduce pain and restore functional abilities.
Research has shown physical therapy outcomes to be as effective and, in some cases, more effective than surgical outcomes. The conditions where physical therapy is as effective as surgery include the following:
- Non-obstructive meniscus surgery
- Long-term effects of herniated disc surgeries
- Rotator cuff repairs
- Carpal tunnel surgery
Degenerative joint disease is another condition that can delay regression and improve functional mobility when addressed with physical therapy early on. In most cases, you can take steps to avoid the need for strong medications or major surgeries like a total knee, hip, or shoulder replacement.
Getting help sooner than later is the key when it comes to joint issues. Our Midwest Physical Therapy physical therapists can help you restore and/or maintain the health of your joints and the strength of the surrounding muscles supporting the joints.
Although there are certainly times when surgery is the best option, delaying surgery with physical therapy is a viable option and worth trying!
Request an appointment at Midwest Physical Therapy today!
Our physical therapist at Midwest Physical Therapy will get to the root of your problems and tailor our programs to your specific needs and goals.
If you are looking for help delaying or avoiding surgery, call our clinic today and let our physical therapists help!
Sources:
- https://www.jospt.org/doi/10.2519/jospt.2017.0503
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26281946/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5223716/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5573846/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27385156/
- https://www.jwatch.org/na47635/2018/10/18/effectiveness-physical-therapy-vs-arthroscopy-meniscal
- https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/56/15/870
- https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2705186