Post-Surgical Recovery: 4 Challenges Patients Face
Recovering from surgery is no easy task. Many patients experience pain and discomfort leading up to surgery, so post-surgical problems can cause additional hurdles to overcome. Most challenges in surgical recovery are related to movement. Patients often suffer from restricted movement and stiff joints.
Surgery takes a toll on your body, and it is important to recognize the issues you may face afterward. Getting a head start on your recovery by becoming knowledgeable is the best way to avoid post-surgical complications.
Limited Mobility
After some types of surgery, patients might be unable to move for a certain period of time. This calls for the help of family members, friends, or nurses. Limited mobility is a great cause for concern in post-surgical patients because it can interfere with necessary daily tasks.
Some surgeries require patients to be wheelchair-bound or walk with crutches. There are other procedures that will necessitate physical therapy for muscle and joint mobility afterward.
For the average person with work and family commitments, it is not always easy to restore mobility and take care of their injuries.
Soreness and Swelling
Near the site of the incision(s) from surgery, many patients experience a lot of soreness and inflammation. The swelling can cause fluid to build up and lead to discomfort.
Swelling can become a problem for mobility depending on where the incision sites are located on the body. Some patients will need to elevate the body part where the swelling is severe, leaving them faced with uncomfortable sleeping positions and limited mobility throughout the day.
More intense surgeries can create pain and soreness around the operation site. For obvious reasons, this can interfere with a patient’s daily lifestyle as they try to retain their independence.
Nausea and Vomiting
General anesthesia is used to keep patients unconscious during surgery. This can cause some unpleasant side effects after surgery is complete and the patient is in recovery. Nausea and vomiting are the two most common side effects of general anesthesia.
Besides being uncomfortable and unpleasant, nausea and vomiting can interfere with a patient’s appetite. This can lead to nutritional problems and unhealthy weight loss if the discomfort continues for long periods of time.
If a patient vomits too much after surgery, they can become dehydrated from the loss of important fluids and electrolytes. While this can be counteracted with IV fluids immediately after surgery, patients struggle to replace lost fluids during recovery at home.
Employment Conflicts
Patients who have strict attendance policies at work may suffer from conflict between their place of employment and the post-surgical recovery period they need.
Most surgeries require at least a few days of downtime to rest and recover. Some workplaces push for full employee attendance, making it impossible for the patient to get both the necessary rest and productivity they need.
At Burger Rehab, we specialize in providing physical therapy to assist patients with post-surgery recovery. Our rehabilitation therapy programs will help you regain mobility and flexibility in your muscles and joints after tough surgeries. Call us today to book your physical therapy appointment!