Most people take for granted just how sophisticated even the “simpler” joints of the body are until it’s time for an orthopedic surgery. At Mattalino Orthopaedic of Phoenix, AZ, we pride ourselves not only in delivering industry-leading orthopedic surgeries, but also in educating all of our patients to best take care of their bodies in all phases of life.
One of the questions most frequently asked of sports medicine experts is, “What is the orthopaedic surgery recovery process like?” In this guide, we will provide an overview of how the various structures and systems of the body respond to surgery, the phases of recovery, how you can help the process along, and more.
What’s Going On In There? An Overview of the Post-Op Healing Process
The orthopaedic surgery recovery process can vary based on several factors, including, but not limited to the following:
- Location of the surgery
- Extent of the surgery (minimally invasive or open approach?)
- Extent of the original injury
- Patient attributes (age, overall health, healing capacity, etc.)
- Adherence to aftercare and rehab protocols
Below, we will go into more detail on what the recovery process typically looks like for a few specific surgeries, but first, it’s important to understand in a general sense which tissues are often involved and how they respond to the “controlled injury” that is orthopaedic surgery.
Tendon-to-Bone Healing
Using rotator cuff surgery as an example, your body’s primary focus is tendon-to-bone healing, which typically takes between six to twelve weeks.
During this time, several processes occur that protect and strengthen the healing tendinous tissue, including inflammation, proliferation and organization of collagen fibers, growth factor activity, and more. But tendon and bone aren’t the only tissues involved, as the surgery itself and/or the original injury often involve muscle tissue, scar tissue, and neuromuscular recovery as well.
Muscle Tissue
While many orthopaedic surgeons now employ “muscle-sparing” approaches to various surgeries, meaning said surgeries can be performed without directly cutting through muscle tissue, either the original injury or the surgery itself most often requires some degree of muscle tissue repair.
As muscle tissue heals, specialized cells (macrophages) act like clean-up crews to clear out dead tissues and blood. After this process, connective tissue and new blood vessels and nerves form. Over time, these newly laid-down tissues mature and reorganize.
Ligaments
Using one of the most commonly performed orthopaedic surgeries—ACL repair—as an example, ligament healing can take between 6 to 9 months. Ligament healing is similar to muscle tissue healing in several ways, as both cases mirror each other across multiple steps of the process, including the following:
- Acute swelling and inflammation
- Fibroblast activity strengthens damaged ligament(s)
- Collagen maturation to provide further support and functionality
Following all phase-specific guidelines issued by your orthopaedic surgeon and physical therapist is key to both reducing your injury risk and augmenting the healing process.
Swelling and Scar Tissue
Regardless of the location, nature, or extent of the surgery, every procedure is going to cause swelling and scar tissue. While these are vital components of the healing process, when either overstays their welcome, problems can occur.
This is yet another reason why aftercare and rehab are so important; poorly managed scar tissue can limit the affected joint’s range of motion and/or cause significant pain with functional, everyday movements. By “scar management,” we’re referring to a multi-faceted process involving scar tissue massage, stretching, and certain exercises. This is a delicate process, as attempting the wrong exercises at the wrong phase of recovery can in fact pave the way for new scar tissue to form.
Neuromuscular Re-Ed
After injury and surgery, the body is susceptible to developing bad habits when it comes to restoring movement patterns of the affected joint(s). Sometimes, compensatory movements (taking shortcuts to make up for pain or range of motion limitations) can become the new normal if they are not corrected. Compensation or not, the trauma of surgery requires the nervous system to remap key functional movements.
Neuromuscular reeducation uses a variety of techniques to retrain the affected joints into healthy movement patterns. When done correctly, this can facilitate earlier strength return, as strength builds on neuromuscular capacity. This is why it may take several months for an untrained person to see hypertrophy when beginning a weightlifting program.
How to Augment Post-Op Healing With Informed Aftercare
As crucial as post-op rehabilitation is for every patient, the honest truth is that even the most effective programs are not enough to promote complete recovery on their own. Every patient must carefully adhere to the post-op guidelines they are issued, which should evolve along with the phases of your recovery.
Depending on the surgery, the patient, and several other factors, these guidelines often include the following:
- Resting
- Properly positioning the affected extremity (including the use of slings, orthotics, etc.)
- Stretching exercises
- Light strengthening exercises
- Scar tissue management
- Activity modification
- Taking medications as directed
- Avoiding risky activities
Each patient’s situation is different, but by carefully and consistently following your particular set of post-op guidelines in and out of the rehab clinic, you can considerably improve outcomes across the board.
Choose Mattalino Orthopaedic of Phoenix, AZ for a Patient-Centered Orthopedic surgery
Proudly serving the Scottsdale and Phoenix areas for over two decades, our team at the office of Dr. Mattalino specializes in providing top-level care for injuries affecting the knee, shoulder, and elbow.
As your orthopaedic surgeon and sports medicine expert, Dr. Mattalino will develop a fully individualized approach that accommodates your presentation and preferences.
Contact our office for a consultation today and take the first step towards a sound and lasting recovery.
