Bunion surgery is typically a minor procedure, and for years, patients were left thinking they were fine without physical therapy after surgery. While bunions do respond well to surgery and recover with limited weight bearing afterward, physical therapy offers benefits that can help improve the speed and quality of your recovery.
Why you should schedule physical therapy after bunion surgery
Physical therapists are licensed health care professionals who specialize in treating chronic conditions and injuries and helping people recover from a wide range of surgical procedures.
Surgery is invasive. The incisions made to access the surgical site cause damage to the muscles and soft tissue. This is one of the main reasons you experience pain and limited range of motion for weeks or months after a surgery.
Although bunion surgery is located in a small part of your body, it still does damage to your muscles and soft tissue. Part of recovery is learning how to walk keeping weight off your toe, but with physical therapy, your recovery can also include:
- Broken down scar tissue — Scar tissue forms along incision areas after a surgery. This is hard tissue that can be painful and limit your range of motion. Physical therapists can use soft tissue mobilization techniques to help break down existing scar tissue and prevent the formation of new scar tissue.
- Less pain — Soft tissue mobilization, gentle exercises and stretches can help improve muscular strength and flexibility around the surgical area, which helps reduce pain and improve your range of motion.
- Improved balance — It may be difficult to balance while keeping weight off your recovering toe. Physical therapists can work with you to help you improve your balance and lower your fall risk.
Visit Whatcom Physical Therapy today for physical therapy after bunion surgery
Have you recently had bunion surgery and want to improve the speed and quality of your recovery? Our team at Whatcom Physical Therapy is here for you. Contact our team today for more information about post-surgical physical therapy or to schedule an initial appointment.
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