Physical therapy is an incredibly wonderful first line of treatment for a variety of different health issues. While other treatments like rest, icing and pain medications can help to relieve symptoms, physical therapy is a proactive treatment that targets the underlying issue, meaning that more invasive treatments may not be necessary, and nobody wants to undergo a costly and potentially uncomfortable surgery when they can make a full recovery with the help of non-operative treatments.
Surgery can be an effective treatment method, but it should be avoided if less risky and invasive treatments can be effectively pursued. This sentiment applies pretty unilaterally in the medical world, but it’s especially true for certain injuries that, although they respond well to surgery, also typically see very positive results when the patient pursues a physical therapy regimen. In today’s blog, we spotlight four conditions where you should almost always pursue physical therapy before moving forward with a surgical procedure.
Seek Out Physical Therapy Before Surgery For These Conditions
Most patients will benefit from seeking out a professional physical therapy program before pursuing surgery for these four health conditions, but keep in mind that this is just general advice. If your doctor is recommending a different course of treatment, trust the advice of someone who can see your condition in person, or seek out a second medical opinion before deciding on treatment. With that said, here’s a look at four conditions that may respond to physical therapy so that you don’t need to undergo a corrective procedure:
- Rotator Cuff Tears– Tears or damage to the rotator cuff can lead to a loss of stability in the shoulder joint, putting you at a heightened risk for shoulder dislocations. You can increase the strength of the soft tissues that make up your rotator cuff so that they can continue to provide adequate support to your shoulder joint. Surgery can correct the problem, but you may also be able to restore enough function through a weeks-long physical therapy program.
- Repeat Ankle Sprains– It’s not uncommon for ankle sprains to become chronic as a result of significant or continued damage to the supportive ligaments in your ankle. Unless you pursue aggressive proactive treatment, these ligaments will never get back to a pre-injury level of strength, and you’ll be at risk of repetitive sprains or an even more severe injury like an ankle fracture. Instead of jumping to a minimally invasive ligament tightening surgery, work to address your supportive ankle ligaments through physical therapy.
- Nerve Compression– Nerve compression like sciatica can be incredibly debilitating, affecting your ability to walk, move and enjoy an active life. Surgeons may be able to free the compressed nerve with an operation, but you can help to correct the underlying issue through a PT regimen. Addressing muscle weakness, posture-related issues or gait dysfunctions that could be contributing to your nerve compression can all be achieved with the help of physical therapy.
- Joint Replacement – Millions of Americans undergo joint replacement surgery each year to improve function in areas like their hips or knees, but what if you could avoid this costly procedure and long recovery period by instead throwing yourself into a physical therapy program? PT is oftentimes recommended for patients dealing with mild or moderate joint arthritis because it can be so effective at staving off the need for a joint replacement procedure.
If you’re dealing with any of the above conditions and are hoping to avoid the prospect of surgery, don’t delay. Connect with a physical therapist and get set up with an individualized and effective PT program. For help in the greater Twin Cities area, connect with the team at OrthoRehab Specialists today at (612) 339-2041.
PT of Costa Rican National Soccer Team for 2007 World Cup in Victoria, CAN. Clinical Instructor for University of Minnesota Doctor of Physical Therapy Affiliations
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