Orthopedic surgery recovery length can be impacted by several factors. For example, what type of surgery your patient has and if they have an allograft during their surgery can both play a role in the recovery process. An allograft is a transplant process that uses bone or tissue from someone else and may involve Graftgun® technology. According to the National Library of Medicine, a recent National Health Institute study of 2 million bone graft patients in the U.S. over the past 16 years revealed a trend favoring synthetic bone graft substitutes. Here is what you need to know about recovery from orthopedic surgery, regardless of the procedure.
Patients Must Follow Post-Op Instructions
If your patient has undergone orthopedic surgery, they need to follow the instructions they receive after surgery. You will need to provide an estimate for their healing time in the instructions. If the orders tell them no weight-bearing movement or use for a certain number of days, they need to follow these orders. Make sure you and your patient have a conversation covering recovery expectations before the surgery where you make the patient aware of what they can and can’t do afterward. Please remind them to stick to the plan; it will help them heal.
Physical Therapy Will Be on the Horizon
Most orthopedic surgeons will prescribe time with a physical therapist to help patients recover from surgery and regain mobility. Physical therapy can be rigorous, but it is a highly effective method of promoting healing. A physical therapy plan should be customized to your patient’s specific needs.
Patients should expect to spend one to three days per week attending physical therapy sessions during recovery. They must participate in their in-office therapy sessions and follow the physical therapist’s directions for at-home training. The more effort patients put into their physical therapy, the quicker they should recover.
Complications May Occur
There is always the risk of complications. For example, in exceptionally rare cases, the allograft can be rejected. This can set back your patient’s recovery. Certain life events unrelated to the surgery may also delay your patient’s recovery. For example, your patient could catch a cold or the flu and as a result, they may not be able to keep up with their physical therapy.
Healing is different for everyone. Keeping patients’ daily goals attainable and moving slowly and steadily is always best. Learn more about recovering from orthopedic surgery today by inquiring further about SurGenTec’s Graftgun® products and their benefits.