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THE PATIENT’S GUIDE TONON-OPERATIVE CARE AND REHABILITATION

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Table of ContentsIntroduction ...........................................................................3

What is Non-operative Rehabilitation? ...................................4

Physical Therapy .....................................................................4

Bracing or Casting ..................................................................5

Daily Exercise ..........................................................................6

Injections ................................................................................8

Medication ..............................................................................8

What Kinds of Injuries Can Be Treated? .................................9

Conclusion ..............................................................................9

THE PATIENT’S GUIDE TO

NON-OPERATIVE CARE AND REHABILITATION

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When dealing with an injury or condition, it’s important to understand that there are many different treatment options available that don’t always include surgery. Non-operative rehabilitation can treat a multitude of injuries, provide pain relief, and help you return to a healthy lifestyle. Depending on the specific situation, doctors usually agree that the best course of action is to consider a non-surgical approach first.

To determine if non-operative rehabilitation could be an option for you, it’s important to be as informed as possible. This educational guide will provide information about non-operative rehabilitation options and the treatment methods available.

In this eBook, you’ll learn:

• What non-operative rehabilitation is• What kinds of injuries and disorders it can treat• The various methods used during non-operative rehabilitation

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WHAT IS NON-OPERATIVE REHABILITATION?Non-operative rehabilitation involves a specialized course of treatment that aims to relieve your pain and restore function without having surgery. Depending on the type of injury or disorder you’re dealing with, there may be several different treatment methods available that can work together to give you the best results. Your doctor will determine which combination of non-operative methods will work best to treat your injury.

Continue reading to learn more about the various treatment methods used during non-operative rehabilitation.

PHYSICAL THERAPYPhysical therapy is a specialized treatment plan that involves a series of exercises, stretches, and hand-on techniques designed to strengthen, improve function, and increase range of motion.

Physical therapy services utilize many therapeutic techniques including sports rehabilitation, occupational and hand therapy, aquatic physical therapy, spine therapy, back and body mechanics education, work hardening, soft tissue mobilization, athletic training services, elder care rehabilitation, and home exercise programs.

Equipment like fitness machines, resistance bands, bikes, treadmills, and free weights are often used to assist patients with their therapy along with modalities including moist heat, traction and electrical stimulation.

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BRACING OR CASTINGIf you’re dealing with a fracture, a sprain, or a minor ligament or tendon tear, a brace or cast will immobilize the injured area and allow for the healing process to take over. Plaster casts, functional cast bracing, boots, and splints are just a few of the many different immobilization options used to treat a wide range of injuries.

Some bracing methods are removable and your doctor will instruct you on when you must wear them, and if there are opportunities to leave them off. The length of time you’ll need to wear a brace depends on the severity of the injury. Casts for broken bones are usually worn anywhere from 4-8 weeks, while braces are usually worn for 3-6 weeks. Splints can be used anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.

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DAILY EXERCISESometimes the pain you are experiencing can be reduced with daily exercise. Your doctor and physical therapist will work together to create a specialized exercise plan that will enable you to build up strength and increase the range of motion in injured areas. Typically, this plan will involve low-impact forms of exercise to help you increase your level of fitness without the risk of reinjuring yourself.

There are also injuries that can be caused or exacerbated by obesity. If you are overweight, your doctor may recommend an exercise regimen to help you lose weight, reduce your symptoms, become healthier overall, and improve your quality of life.

Examples of low-impact exercise include the following:

Walking | Walking for 30 minutes to one hour, two to three times per week can help you become healthier while still being gentle on joints and other body parts. It’s usually best to avoid hilly routes in the beginning because this can cause additional strain on the injury. Speak with your doctor about developing a walking plan to ensure it’s as effective as possible.

Swimming | Exercising in the water is an effective way to increase conditioning because you’re burning calories and building strength. The real advantage of swimming, however, is that you’re weightless, so it’s less painful and less stressful on your joints. You can swim laps or participate in water therapy which involves stretching and strengthening exercises like hip abduction lifts, biceps curls, arm circles, and triceps kickbacks.

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Stationary Cycling | Depending on the injury, some patients will be more comfortable in a seated position. Stationary cycling on a low-resistance setting is a great form of aerobic exercise that provides many health benefits and can also help you recover from an injury. Elliptical Trainer or Step Machine | These types of exercise machines use pedals that allow you to step or glide smoothly which causes less impact on the joints than walking. They provide an aerobic exercise while also allowing you to increase the intensity and resistance without putting excessive stress on the joints. You can also incorporate your arms on some machines for a full-body workout.

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INJECTIONSIf you’re dealing with joint pain, injections can significantly reduce the symptoms you’re experiencing, allow you to regain function, and enable you to perform daily activities pain-free. These injections typically consist of a combination of anti-inflammatory steroids and a numbing medicine that are injected directly into the joint. This quick, low-risk procedure is nearly painless and patients can return to their normal activities shortly after receiving the treatment.

MEDICATIONThroughout your non-operative rehabilitation, your physician may prescribe pain relievers if needed. During rehabilitation treatment methods like physical therapy, it is common to experience some soreness from the exercises you are performing.

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WHAT KIND OF INJURIES CAN BE TREATED?Non-operative rehabilitation can provide relief for disorders that relate to bones, joints, muscles, the back, neck, and nerves. Injuries resulting from trauma, age, or overuse can also be treated with non-operative rehabilitation.

Other types of injuries that can benefit from non-operative rehabilitation include on-the-job injuries, sports injuries, auto accidents, lower back disorders, pelvic issues, problems related to the head and neck, and musculoskeletal injuries.

Birth-related conditions may also be treated with non-operative rehabilitation. Some treatments offered include bracing, casting, and physical therapy tailored to children. These treatment methods can help patients avoid surgery for conditions

like a club foot.

CONCLUSIONIf you’re dealing with an injury, you may be eligible for non-operative rehabilitation. Premier Orthopaedics specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders with non-operative methods and is dedicated to restoring your health. Click here to set up a consultation with a Premier Orthopaedics physician to find the relief you deserve.