Suppose you have got an injury or dysfunction in your muscles, bones, joints, tendons, or ligaments. In that case, it will lead to reduced range of motion and limited functional mobility, impacting your everyday lives. In such a situation, orthopedic therapy Englewood CO will help you get back on track.
What Is Orthopedic Therapy?
Orthopedic therapy is one of the types of physical therapy used to treat problems involving the musculoskeletal system. It heals the injury resulting from trauma or underlying condition and treats any discomfort you feel. It is also beneficial for those patients who have undergone orthopedic surgery, helping them regain their normal functionality.
Physical therapists who have received additional training, education, and experience in the field of orthopedics will be evaluating and treating musculoskeletal conditions, thus taking the role of an orthopedic physical therapist.
They diagnose the patients’ movements, create a custom treatment plan, provide them with therapeutic care, and educate them on effective ways to manage the condition and prevent further injury.
Conditions Treated in Orthopedic Physical Therapy
Orthopedic physical therapists are skilled practitioners who can treat any ailment that results in movement impairments, including
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Arthritis
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Neck pain
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Back pain
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Shoulder pain
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Hip and Knee conditions
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Foot and Ankle conditions
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Sports injuries
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Work injuries
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Post-orthopedic surgery rehabilitation
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Prosthetic training
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Lymphedema
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Stroke
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Parkinson’s disease
How Does Orthopedic Therapy Work?
Orthopedic physical therapists focus on the patients’ functionality and assist them with the most appropriate treatments. Now, we can see how orthopedic therapy works in treating various conditions and injuries.
1) Orthopedic Therapy for Acute Injury
An acute injury is damage caused to the body as a result of severe or sudden physical activity. A traumatic impact such as sudden direct contact with the ground or another player during sports or a fall from a bike.
Muscle strains, ankle sprains, fractures, dislocated shoulder, and concussion are some examples of acute injuries. These injuries can cause intense pain, swelling, tenderness, reduced range of motion in the joints, headache, or dizziness.
Orthopedic therapy Englewood CO helps minimize pain and swelling, rebuild strength, improve the range of motion, and regain normal function.
2) Orthopedic Therapy for Chronic Injury
A chronic injury is an overuse injury that develops over time and results from the prolonged or repetitive motion of the tendons, bones, or joints. It occurs due to muscle weakness, imbalances, or poor training methods.
Tennis elbow, runner’s knee, and Achilles tendonitis are some examples of chronic injuries. These injuries cause increased pain with activities, swelling, and a dull ache while resting.
Physical therapists skilled at orthopedic therapy analyze the patients’ movement patterns to locate the source of the injury and develop an appropriate treatment plan. They help manage pain and swelling, work with the patients to restore their ability to perform normal movements, and educate them on preventing future injuries.
3) Orthopedic Therapy After Surgery
Surgery can result in weakness, tenderness, and stiffness due to the strain the operation puts on the body and the lack of mobility one undergoes following the procedure. At this time, the body needs to rebuild its strength, and that’s what orthopedic therapy does.
Most physicians recommend therapeutic rehabilitation after surgery as it plays a vital part in the recovery process. Patients who have undergone hip or knee replacement, knee arthroscopy,
heart surgery, or cancer surgery can benefit from orthopedic therapy Englewood CO.
The rehabilitation process helps control pain, enhances blood circulation, increases mobility, regains strength and balance, and prevents excessive scar tissue formation.
Treatments Used in Orthopedic Therapy
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Exercises - Physical therapists create a specific exercise program that includes stretching, strengthening exercises, and balance retraining activities to improve strength, flexibility, and mobility in the injured muscles or joints.
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Joint Mobilization - Physical therapists apply gentle force to move a joint in the desired direction to improve mobility and normalize joint function.
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Manual traction - The therapist uses his hands to apply a controlled force in order to stretch the neck or back and relieve pressure off the affected joints.
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Heat or Cold Therapy - Orthopedic therapists utilize both heat and cold therapy to reduce pain, inflammation, swelling, and prevent muscle soreness.
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Electrical Stimulation - Orthopedic therapy uses transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation technique to block pain signals and neuromuscular electrical stimulation method to improve muscle contraction and repair injured muscles.
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Aquatic Therapy - This technique will be more beneficial for arthritis patients with unhealthy joints as water’s buoyancy supports them to exercise in water and reduces the risk of further injuries.
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Kinesiology Taping - The practitioners prefer this method to enhance support to the affected muscles, boost circulation, minimize pain, and improve flexibility.
Final Thoughts
Orthopedic therapy offers a wide range of benefits to patients who struggle with musculoskeletal issues that cause functional disabilities. It helps restore normal mobility after an injury, eliminates pain, strengthens the muscles and joints, and avoids surgery.
