Exercising after orthopaedic surgery

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Orthopaedic surgeons can repair broken bones and replace worn-out joints

It’s up to the patient to walk the road to recovery. Here’s how exercise after orthopaedic surgery can help.

Dr Faf Weyers, an orthopaedic surgeon at Mediclinic Bloemfontein, has seen his fair share of trauma to ankles, forearms, wrists, hips, knees and clavicles. And while every procedure is different, he suggests these simple exercise guidelines for his post-op patients:

How to exercise after orthopaedic surgery

Get up: the sooner the better

The days of prescribed immobility and long rest periods after surgery are over. “We want our patients to move safely and as much as possible after surgery,” says Dr Weyers. “If I perform surgery for a fracture on a Monday, I want my patient out of bed by Tuesday with the help of a physiotherapist and orthotics, such as a walking frame.”

The power of five

“For every one day that a patient is bedridden after surgery, it takes five days to regain lost power,” says Dr Weyers. Gentle exercise reduces swelling to the surgical site and boosts self-confidence.

Take a shorter splint stint

Splints are necessary to repair damaged joints and bones, especially in the hand, finger or arm, but some movement is essential to avoid stiffness. The longer a bone is splinted, the harder rehab becomes. “I prefer to switch my patients to removable splints where possible, as gentle movement aids fixation.”

Train your brain

“The brain is lazy,” Dr Weyers says. “If an ankle fracture is kept still and bears no weight for six weeks, the brain will forget about it. The joint will then need retraining.” In medical terms this is called proprioception – the brain’s awareness of a joint and its position in relation to the rest of the body.

Strengthen your bones

Another motivation for early postoperative mobilisation is that the longer a joint or limb stays still, the softer the bones become. In the past, patients with fractures were ordered to rest while waiting for bones to heal. However, this has been directly linked to a decline in bone density called disuse osteopenia. “It’s best to do gentle weight-bearing exercise with professional assistance,” he advises.

Stick to the programme

Even though it’s important to start moving soon after surgery, don’t try to do it by yourself. Exercise and movement after orthopaedic surgery must take place under the guidance of a trained therapist. They will focus on restoring functional movements like walking or holding a pen. This is initially done using aides, such as resistance bands or balls. “Expect to receive a lot of physiotherapy in hospital and after discharge,” says Dr Weyers.

Take a long-term view

Depending on the nature of the injury and surgery, it will take about 30 days to get back real, functional strength, he says.  “With all this talk about moving about, don’t bring your shoes to the hospital and expect to walk home unaided after a hip replacement.”