Julia Osborne, PT, CLT-LANATreating a Patient Post-Breast Surgery
For patients who have undergone all types of cancer surgery and related reconstructive surgeries, Oncology Rehab specializes in post-surgery rehabilitation.
Why is post cancer surgery treatment important?
Very often, additional treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, need to be initiated soon after surgery, and often before full healing has taken place. Physical therapy can help speed up the recovery time from surgery. By facilitating healing, we can prepare the tissues, and the patient, for the next phase of treatment.
Cancer related surgeries often involve local lymph node removal, and this can affect the normal healing processes in the area of surgery. Early intervention and treatment can help reduce the local inflammation that often slows down the usual healing process. Early treatment also assists the lymph system to begin its own healing. There is no better time to optimize the healing of both the tissues and the lymphatic system than during the early stages of recovery!
When is the best time to start physical therapy treatment after surgery?
The best time to initiate physical therapy at Oncology Rehab is 2 to 3 weeks after surgery.
What are typical post-surgery rehabilitation goals?
There are a multitude of individual goals, depending on each patient’s presentation and the location of surgery. Goals for all patients include:
Why is post cancer surgery treatment important?
Very often, additional treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, need to be initiated soon after surgery, and often before full healing has taken place. Physical therapy can help speed up the recovery time from surgery. By facilitating healing, we can prepare the tissues, and the patient, for the next phase of treatment.
Cancer related surgeries often involve local lymph node removal, and this can affect the normal healing processes in the area of surgery. Early intervention and treatment can help reduce the local inflammation that often slows down the usual healing process. Early treatment also assists the lymph system to begin its own healing. There is no better time to optimize the healing of both the tissues and the lymphatic system than during the early stages of recovery!
When is the best time to start physical therapy treatment after surgery?
The best time to initiate physical therapy at Oncology Rehab is 2 to 3 weeks after surgery.
What are typical post-surgery rehabilitation goals?
There are a multitude of individual goals, depending on each patient’s presentation and the location of surgery. Goals for all patients include:
- Minimizing pain
- Minimizing swelling and inflammation
- Improving range of motion
- Improving strength
- Improving postural return
- Maximizing mobility
- Maximizing functional return to exercise, hobbies, and social/occupational life