Surgical intervention for patients involves not only physical, but also emotional difficulties. The feeling of helplessness is given to many more difficult than other difficulties. The fact is that solving medical problems is more dependent on doctors, and postoperative rehabilitation is largely on the efforts of the patient himself. In order to properly organize the recovery period, the interaction of a physician and a recovering person is necessary.
Goals
Rehabilitation of postoperative patients has several goals:
- it is necessary to prevent possible complications;
- the patient needs to be relieved of pain and the restriction of mobility should be eliminated;
- it is important to speed up recovery and help psychological recovery after illness;
- return the patient to an active and fulfilling life.
All these goals are logical and understandable. It even seems to many that postoperative rehabilitation is a natural process, and the body is able to recover on its own. But this is an erroneous opinion, which often destroys the effect of the efforts of physicians.
High-quality rehabilitation of the postoperative period is a complex of medical measures that are developed by rehabilitation therapists.
Recovery process for the elderly
Properly organizing the recovery period is important for a patient of any age. But for older people, this process can have additional difficulties. Many of them are more difficult to tolerate the forced limitation of movements after the operation, they believe that there is very little time left and the state of helplessness will no longer pass. This causes depression, as a result of which patients refuse the necessary procedures and manipulations. Postoperative rehabilitation is delayed or becomes completely impossible due to a negative psychological attitude.
Many are embarrassed to talk about pain and discomfort so as not to “distract” busy people with their problems. It is important for relatives of elderly patients to choose a clinic that is able to provide the necessary care and will create confidence that all postoperative problems are temporary.
The timing
It is impossible to indicate the exact time for which the patient will be able to recover from the operation. This process is influenced by many factors. One of the main ones is the nature of the intervention. So, for example, the removal of an intervertebral hernia will require complex postoperative recovery, which is divided into several stages. The total term is often extended over more than a year. Extensive abdominal surgery, especially in the abdominal area, will require long-term dietary compliance. The period of recovery after surgery on the joints depends on high-quality physiotherapy and a set of physiotherapy exercises.
Important factors on which the recovery period may depend are the patient's gender and age. According to the observation of doctors, women recover faster than representatives of the strong half of humanity, young patients recover earlier than older colleagues in misfortune. Often, postoperative rehabilitation is inhibited due to the patient's bad habits, such as smoking, craving for alcohol, and so on. Motivation plays a huge role in the recovery process, which is why good rehabilitation centers are staffed by psychologists.
The main methods of postoperative rehabilitation
The arsenal of rehabilitation therapy is very extensive:
- taking medications, such as painkillers, vitamin complexes, adaptogens, antispasmodics and so on;
- physiotherapeutic procedures, such as electrophoresis, electromyostimulation, and so on;
- reflexology or acupuncture, that is, the activation of biologically active points with special needles;
- complexes of physiotherapy exercises (LFK), using a system of regular exercises to increase physical tone, increase appetite and improve the psychological state;
- mechanotherapy, that is, rehabilitation with the help of simulators, orthoses and special devices;
- Bobat therapy, that is, the elimination of muscle spasticity by stimulating natural reflexes;
- various types of massages that can improve blood circulation, increase immunity, stimulate the respiratory system, accelerate muscle recovery;
- a diet that determines the correct diet, depending on the type of surgical intervention;
- psychotherapy that forms the right motivation and eliminates depressive states;
- ergotherapy, which allows you to return self-care skills and reduces dependence on others.
For each patient, a combination of methods is selected that is beneficial to him, since postoperative rehabilitation is a complex and individual process. There are no good or bad methods; there are methods suitable or not suitable for a particular patient.
And now we will describe in more detail the recovery process after some diseases.
Intervertebral hernia removal
Intervertebral hernia brings patients not only discomfort, but also not passing exhausting pains. But, even if the operation is performed by a brilliant neurosurgeon, the result will not please if the postoperative rehabilitation is not correctly selected. Surgically removed hernia can occur again if you deviate from the doctor’s recommendations.
It has already been indicated above that the recovery period after removal of the intervertebral hernias is divided into several stages:
- Postoperative recovery for up to 1 month, including the removal of pain, swelling and the prevention of early complications. During this period, you can not sit, carry heavy loads, receive physical exertion, perform sudden movements and prescribe massages.
- Intensive recovery, which can take 3 to 12 months. This is an adaptation period aimed at restoring motor activity.
- Late recovery that lasts a lifetime. The patient should resume the functionality of the muscle corset, regularly perform strengthening exercises, undergo manual therapy and massage courses, and prevent new intervertebral hernias.
Phlebectomy
After removal of varicose veins, patients are not detained for a long time in medical institutions. Usually the attending physician draws up an extract for 2-3 days. And how long does rehabilitation after phlebectomy take? The postoperative period may take several months. Recovery therapy begins with simple flexion movements, which can be performed on the first day after surgery. Then, wearing compression underwear is prescribed for several months. In the process of rehabilitation, venotonic agents and drugs are prescribed that reduce the risk of thrombosis. The recovery process will also require rehabilitation gymnastics and walking.
Kidney removal
Nephrectomy, that is, complete or partial removal of the kidney, is a very serious operation. Upon completion, the patient is transferred to the intensive care unit to monitor the general condition. How does rehabilitation go after kidney removal? The postoperative period is associated with constant monitoring of electrolyte and water balance. At first, the patient consumes less fluid and eats mashed food.
Despite the pain, rehabilitation includes feasible physical activity and breathing exercises.
When discharging home, the patient must continue to follow a diet and avoid unnecessary stress. In addition, he must be prescribed regular consultations by a urologist.
Compliance with recommendations
It can be difficult for patients to be in control for a long time. But it should be understood that the rejection of procedures, a violation of the diet or a return to bad habits is primarily a blow to one's own health. Is it worth the momentary pleasure of the resulting problems?