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Orthopaedic surgery preparation

Preparing for Joint Replacement or Orthopaedic Surgery with Hydrotherapy

Undergoing joint replacement or orthopaedic surgery is a significant step toward improving your quality of life. Whether it’s a knee replacement, hip replacement, or surgery following a fracture, preparation is key to ensuring the best possible outcomes.

Hydrotherapy offers a powerful, patient-focused approach to pre-surgical preparation, helping you manage pain, restore movement, and build strength to optimise recovery.

Why Prepare with Hydrotherapy Before Surgery?

Preparing your body before surgery can significantly improve your outcomes and shorten recovery time. Here’s how hydrotherapy makes a difference:

Pain Management

The warmth of the water soothes aching joints and reduces discomfort, making it easier to move and exercise. For patients with hip pain, hydrotherapy provides much-needed relief, often enabling better sleep.

Improving Range of Motion

Many patients have restricted movement due to joint stiffness or pain. Hydrotherapy helps restore mobility by:

  • Reducing swelling and stiffness.
  • Gently encouraging movement in a pain-free environment.
  • Supporting joint extension and flexion, which is critical for surgeries like knee replacements.

Building Strength Safely

Water resistance provides a controlled environment to strengthen muscles without overloading painful or compromised joints. Engaging the correct muscle groups before surgery ensures better post-operative recovery and function.

Swelling Reduction

Hydrostatic pressure helps reduce swelling, improving circulation and allowing for more comfortable and effective movement.

Common Surgeries and Pre-Surgical Hydrotherapy Benefits

Knee Replacement

Knee arthritis often limits extension and leads to muscle shortening. Pre-surgical hydrotherapy helps:

  • Maximise extension before surgery to prepare the joint for optimal replacement function.
  • Engage quadriceps and hamstring muscles to counteract atrophy caused by limited movement.
  • Reduce swelling and pain, enabling better preparation and recovery.

Hip Replacement

Hydrotherapy can relieve hip pain caused by arthritis, helping you:

  • Move more comfortably and maintain strength.
  • Sleep better, reducing fatigue and stress before surgery.
  • Prepare the hip joint for surgery by maintaining as much range of motion as possible.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction

Pre-surgical hydrotherapy is crucial for:

  • Reducing swelling caused by injury.
  • Restoring range of motion, especially extension.
  • Managing bone oedema often present after ACL injuries.
  • Preventing muscle wasting by maintaining activation of key muscle groups.

Fracture Surgery or Metal Work Removal

If you have metal work in place from a previous fracture or need surgery for final repair, hydrotherapy helps:

  • Improve movement and function before further surgery.
  • Reduce pain and swelling to ensure a better surgical outcome.
  • Build strength in a controlled environment, minimising stress on healing bones.

Back Surgery

Patients preparing for back surgery can benefit from hydrotherapy by:

  • Exploring non-surgical options to reduce pain and improve mobility.
  • Strengthening core muscles to support the spine post-surgery.
  • Reducing anxiety and improving overall readiness for surgery.

How Hydrotherapy Improves Long-Term Outcomes

Pre-surgical hydrotherapy isn’t just about preparing for surgery- it’s about setting yourself up for long-term success. Here’s how:

  • Better Post-Surgical Recovery: Patients who enter surgery with stronger muscles, reduced swelling, and better joint mobility recover faster and more effectively.
  • Reduced Risk of Complications: Improved circulation and early movement reduce the risk of post-operative stiffness and muscle atrophy.
  • Increased Confidence: Knowing you’ve prepared your body for surgery helps you approach the procedure with a positive mindset.

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