Orthopaedic Rehabilitation
Functional Restoration and Performance
Orthopaedic Rehabilitation is the process of transforming a patient’s anatomical structure into functional success following injuries to the musculoskeletal system or surgical interventions. This discipline is not concerned merely with bone healing or wound closure; it rebuilds joint stability, muscle strength and the nervous system’s control over these structures.
The aim is to help patients recover to their best possible condition following orthopaedic surgery and, in certain cases, to prepare them for surgery.
Surgery is only the first step in the recovery process. True success comes from the rehabilitation process, which safeguards the repair carried out by the surgeon and ensures it remains functional.
- Hand and Foot Tendon – Nerve Injuries: The tendons in this area pass through very narrow channels. The aim of rehabilitation is to prevent the tendon from adhering to surrounding tissues (adhesions) as it heals. ‘Controlled passive movement’ protocols applied in the early stages preserve tissue flexibility without compromising the healing process. In the case of nerve injuries, sensory re-education is supported by electrical stimulation and isometric exercises to prevent muscle atrophy.
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Repair: This is one of the most critical processes for athletes. Rehabilitation is based on ensuring full range of motion in the knee joint during the first few weeks, followed by ‘reactivating’ the quadriceps muscle and successfully passing ‘return-to-play’ tests after the sixth month. The patient’s full return to daily life is supported through plyometric and proprioceptive exercises.
- Meniscus Repair: In cases where the meniscus has been sutured, the load-bearing process is gradually increased to prevent the sutured tissue from being compressed. During this process, the degree of knee flexion is monitored in accordance with the surgeon’s repair technique and the appropriate orthopaedic rehabilitation protocol.
- Knee, Hip and Shoulder Joint Replacement: The aim of these operations is to relieve pain and restore joint function. During rehabilitation, the primary objective is to strengthen the muscles surrounding the joint and improve range of motion during the recovery process, thereby ensuring the patient derives maximum benefit from the prosthesis and is back on their feet as soon as possible.
- Fracture Surgery: In bones fixed with plates or screws, controlling the load on the fracture line is essential. The stages of bone healing (callus formation) are monitored using ultrasound or X-rays, and the intensity of exercise is gradually increased.
- Rotator Cuff Repair: The shoulder joint is the most mobile joint in the body. To prevent the shoulder from ‘freezing’ after surgery, treatment begins with passive exercises, and as the tissue strengthens, the focus shifts to active strengthening.
For athletes, ‘recovery’ means returning to 100% of their pre-injury performance level.
- Proprioception Training: By improving the ability to perceive the joint’s position in space, the risk of re-injury is reduced.
- Kinetic Chain Analysis: The analysis focuses not only on the injured area but also on the overall body balance that influences the load placed on that area.