Before your discharge you’ll be visited by physicians, physical therapists, occupational therapists, social workers (who assist in discharge planning) and, depending upon your specific needs, potentially some other allied health professionals as well.
*When it’s cold out, be of the mindset that ANY wet/dark area of pavement could be slippery and icy. Even if there hasn’t been any actual precipitation, dew and water vapor can freeze on cold surfaces which, in turn, can form an extremely thin and nearly invisible layer of ice that can look like wet pavement but is anything but.
Physical therapists are your providers. These are health care professionals who help patients improve their mobility, decrease their pain, their need for pain relieving medications and the potential need for surgery.
Prairie Orthopaedic & Plastic Surgery is very excited to announce that two of our Physical Therapists have recently attained the advanced designation of Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) by the Hand Therapy Certification Commission.
As discussed previously, some of the main goals of physical therapy are to provide a viable, conservative option to surgery; to help improve both mobility and range of motion; and, assist in helping patients manage their pain without the long-term usage of narcotic pain medication.
Physical therapists work with your doctor to examine, evaluate, and treat individuals who may be suffering from one (or more) of many different conditions. For instance, physical therapists work with individuals experiencing back pain, neck pain, injuries affecting joints, carpal tunnel syndrome, burns, joint replacement, developmental disabilities, arthritis, sports injuries…honestly, the list goes on and on.
If you’ve sustained an injury to your shoulder, it’s highly likely that your Orthopaedic Physician will prescribe a round of Physical Therapy (PT) as either a non-surgical intervention or for post-surgical treatment. If you need an injection in the shoulder, Physical Therapy after the injection can restore range of motion and assist with strengthening in order to avoid future problems. And, if surgery is required, MAKE SURE to follow your surgeon’s directions closely to protect the shoulder. Post-operative Physical Therapy can help regain normal motion and strength after your surgery.
