Will I need rehab after surgery?
It would be nice if we could stroll right out of the operating room and get back to our regular scheduled programming – but, for many people who undergo surgery there’s a bit of work to be done before we are feeling normal and healthy again.
Whether or not you will need rehabilitation after surgery depends on several factors, including the type of surgery you undergo, the specific procedure performed, and your individual circumstances (such as your pre- and post-surgical health, your access to rehabilitation support, and your goals for recovery after surgery).
In many cases, rehabilitation is a crucial part of the recovery process and can help restore strength, mobility, and function.
Your surgeon and healthcare team are the best people to assess your situation and determine if rehabilitation is necessary, and if so, what the rehab might comprise. They will consider factors such as the complexity of the surgery, the area of the body affected, your overall health, and any pre-existing conditions.
If rehabilitation is recommended, it may involve any one or a combination of health professionals, including:
physical therapist
occupational therapist
kinesiologist or exercise physiologist
massage therapist
speech language pathologist
dietitian
psychologist
physiatrist
Depending on your needs, one or more of these rehabilitation specialists can help reduce your pain, improve or regain your physical and mental function, and facilitate a successful recovery after surgery. You may be required to perform certain exercises (and refrain from others), eat specific food or take supplements or medications, or perhaps to manage your stress, relax, and rest. It really depends on your situation, the expertise of the team, and the research evidence supporting the type of rehab that might be best for someone like you.
In many cases, rehabilitation is standard of care after surgery and you probably would have an expectation for it – such as in orthopaedic surgery (e.g., joint replacement rehabilitation) or for cardiac surgery (e.g., cardiac rehab). However, rehab can be very important for other surgical procedures (as well as other therapies, like radiation or chemo therapy) that might not come to mind so naturally, such as cancer surgery or organ transplants. You may have to ask for these or search for them on your own.
If you’re not sure about whether you need or could benefit from rehabilitation, talk to your healthcare team. If rehabilitation is recommended, your healthcare provider should be able to explain the reasons behind their recommendation and discuss the specific type and duration of rehabilitation that would be beneficial for your recovery. They should also be able to provide you with information on how to access rehabilitation services and answer any questions you may have. This may also include explaining what rehabilitation may be out of pocket, free, or subsidized.
It's important to communicate openly with your healthcare provider, share any concerns or limitations you may have, and follow their recommendations to ensure the best possible recovery outcome.
Consider these research papers to learn more about predictors, protocols, and preferences for rehabilitation after certain surgeries or treatments:
A systematic review of rehabilitation and exercise recommendations in oncology guidelines
