Ankle injuries in El Paso, Texas, can be serious enough that they require surgery. This is especially true in cases where a ligament in the ankle has been completely torn. However, you may not know what steps to take to make the fastest possible recovery after ankle surgery. Physical therapy should be a part of your post-ankle surgery recovery, and post-surgical rehabilitation with a physical therapist can provide three specific benefits.
1. Reduce pain
Any time a surgeon cuts into a person’s body, the patient is likely to feel pain after the surgery is over. Helping you deal with post-ankle surgery pain is one benefit physical therapy can offer. Physical therapists can show you how to perform exercises intended to move your ankle. Doing these movements regularly throughout the day can help improve blood flow to your recovering ankle. It can also lead to the production of endorphins, which are the body’s natural pain relievers.
2. Strengthen the ankle
People who have had ankle surgery may be required to wear a cast or ankle brace. While these are necessary for healing, they also force the ankle and the muscles that support and move it to remain still. Over time, this lack of movement can cause the ankle muscles to weaken. This weakness is a problem that can lead to ankle reinjury if it’s not dealt with. Once you’re free to remove the brace or cast, physical therapy exercises can be added to your treatment plan, and many of these exercises will be intended to help increase muscle strength.
3. Increase your ability to do activities
Physical therapy after ankle surgery can also help increase your ability to do normal daily activities. In many cases, it can actually allow you to return to doing activities like walking in a shorter period of time. For instance, manual therapy can help reduce tension in ankle muscles that’s making it more difficult to walk. Also, aquatic therapy can be included in ankle recovery plans, and this therapy method is intended to help reduce the stress on your ankle while you practice walking.
Find out more about physical therapy after ankle surgery at Border Therapy Services
Border Therapy Services has several clinics in the El Paso area, and our team is prepared to help you recover from many types of surgery. First, we’ll perform a free screening to see how the surgery is affecting your body. Then, our team will design a personalized therapy plan to meet your specific needs.
Come find out how our post-surgery rehab plans can benefit you. Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.