Key points

• Post-operative rehabilitation is critical for individuals recovering from surgery in New Zealand, aiding in regaining strength, mobility, and overall well-being.
• Surgery can leave individuals facing physical challenges, making physiotherapy an essential part of the recovery journey.
• Surgeons and physiotherapists collaborate to ensure a seamless transition from surgery to rehabilitation, supported by the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) Scheme.
• Early post-surgery rehabilitation focuses on regaining basic functions, managing pain, and often includes occupational rehabilitation.
• Advanced physiotherapy techniques, such as hydrotherapy and specialised exercises, are used as recovery progresses.
• Physiotherapists collaborate with workplaces to facilitate rehabilitation for employees who have undergone surgeries, supporting their return to work.
• Long-term wellness is emphasised, with ongoing physiotherapy to maintain recovery and prevent relapses, especially for spinal and joint surgery patients.

Introduction

Recovery after surgery is a pivotal phase in an individual's health journey.  Whether it's a routine procedure or a complex surgical intervention, postoperative rehabilitation plays a crucial role in regaining strength, mobility, and overall well-being.  

In New Zealand, where active lifestyles are “part of our DNA”, understanding the significance of physiotherapy in the rehabilitation process is essential.  This article explores the key elements of post-surgery rehabilitation, highlighting the collaborative efforts of surgeons and physiotherapists, and the vital role they play in helping individuals regain their quality of life.

Surgery and the post-operative rehabilitation journey

Surgery, while often necessary to address various health issues, can leave individuals facing significant physical challenges in its aftermath.  Post-surgery rehabilitation is the bridge that helps them cross from vulnerability to vitality.  It’s a journey that requires patience, dedication, and the expert guidance of physiotherapists who understand the unique needs of their patients.

Injuries that require surgery are not uncommon. Whether it's a sports injury, a workplace accident, or a routine medical procedure, individuals find themselves on the path of surgical recovery. It's during this phase that physiotherapy becomes an indispensable element of the journey to rehabilitation.

Collaboration between surgeons and physiotherapists

The road to recovery may start in the operating room, but it doesn't end there.  Surgeons and physiotherapists work hand in hand to ensure a seamless transition from surgery to rehabilitation.  In New Zealand, medical professionals understand the importance of this collaboration, and the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) Scheme supports this endeavour by facilitating access to comprehensive post-surgery rehabilitation services.

Physiotherapists, with their expertise in biomechanics and movement, complement the surgical efforts by tailoring rehabilitation programs to each patient's unique needs. They bridge the gap between medical intervention and regaining functional independence.

Early post-surgery rehabilitation: building a strong foundation

The early stages of post-surgery rehabilitation lay the foundation for a successful recovery. Physiotherapists focus on helping patients regain basic functions and manage pain.  For example, in patients recovering from knee surgeries often require specialised care to regain strength for outdoor activities. Physiotherapy sessions in this phase emphasise exercises to improve joint mobility and build muscle strength.

Occupational rehabilitation is a critical component of early post-surgery recovery. Physiotherapists work closely with patients to ensure that they can return to work safely and effectively.

Examples:

• Construction worker with rotator cuff tear:  A construction worker sustains a rotator cuff tear during work. They undergo surgical repair of the rotator cuff.  A collaborative effort between the physiotherapist and surgeon is initiated to develop and monitor a rehabilitation plan to restore shoulder function and ensure proper post-operative healing. Vocational rehabilitation is also essential in the later stages to ensure a safe and sustainable return to work.
  
  
• Office worker with lumbar disc herniation:  An office worker experiences a lumbar disc herniation due to work-related factors. Surgery is performed to address the lumbar disc herniation. The physiotherapist collaborates with the surgeon to design a rehabilitation plan centred on pain control, recovery of range of motion and then functional strengthening, with continuous coordination to adapt the plan based on the patient's response and surgical outcomes. Workstation assessments to optimise body positioning and ergonomics can be greatly beneficial for any sedentary role.   

Progressing toward full recovery: advanced physiotherapy techniques

As recovery progresses, so does the complexity of physiotherapy interventions – and as a result, advanced physiotherapy techniques become instrumental. These techniques might include hydrotherapy, specialised equipment, and targeted exercises to address specific issues. Physiotherapists work closely with patients to monitor progress and adjust treatment plans accordingly, ensuring optimal outcomes.

In addition to sports injuries and routine procedures, workplace accidents and injuries are also commonplace in New Zealand. Physiotherapists are in a unique collaboration with workplaces to facilitate the rehabilitation process for employees who have undergone surgeries as part of their workplace wellness programme. This not only aids in the employees' return to work but also helps employers maintain a healthy and productive workforce.

Long-term wellness: sustaining surgical success through physiotherapy

Long-term wellness is an important consideration of any rehabilitation journey.  It's not just about recovering; it's about maintaining that recovery.  Physiotherapy extends beyond the immediate postoperative period, offering ongoing support to help individuals embrace an active lifestyle again.  

For example, patients who've undergone spinal surgeries receive continued physiotherapy to prevent relapses and maintain spinal health.  Similarly, where a patient has undergone a joint replacement operation, physiotherapists can play a vital role in tailoring exercise programmes and guidance to ensure that they can continue to enjoy physical activity.

Summary

In New Zealand, post-operative rehabilitation is highlighted as a critical phase in the recovery process, essential for regaining strength and mobility after surgery. This collaborative effort between surgeons and physiotherapists plays a pivotal role in helping patients transition from surgery to rehabilitation, with the support of the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) Scheme. 

Early rehabilitation focuses on basic function and pain management, while advanced physiotherapy techniques, like hydrotherapy, address specific issues as recovery progresses.  Workplace collaborations aid in employees' return to work, contributing to a healthy and productive workforce. 

Moreover, long-term wellness is emphasised, with ongoing physiotherapy to sustain surgical success and enable individuals to maintain active lifestyles even after significant surgeries like joint replacements and spinal procedures.

Reviewed by: Brady Cates