Why Surgery Doesn’t Have to Be Your Only Option
Do you suffer from a painful orthopedic condition such as spinal stenosis or osteoarthritis? Many think surgical intervention is the only way they’ll ever find relief. However, you have another option: physical therapy at Haymarket PT!
There’s no denying that surgery is a significant decision–and one that brings with it several risks, including blood clots, infections, and more. That’s why most doctors will encourage you to consider your options before booking a surgeon. For orthopedic concerns, that means looking to physical therapy.
In fact, physical therapy is actually a frontline treatment for several musculoskeletal conditions, from arthritis to ligament injuries, meaning you absolutely should try it first! Regular physical therapy treatments can help delay your surgery–and, in some cases, avoid it altogether.
If you feel you may be on the path to needing surgery, don’t hesitate to give our team a call. We’ll provide specific information about how our physical therapists can help you avoid or delay surgery.
Conditions That Respond Well to Physical Therapy
People opt for surgery to reduce pain and improve their functionality and mobility. The good news is that physical therapy can do exactly that for several different musculoskeletal conditions, including the following:
- Herniated Discs: This is another condition that physical therapy can generally resolve more easily than surgery.
- Osteoarthritis: People with severe osteoarthritis often resort to total joint replacements to address their symptoms. But if you can begin physical therapy early on, you can slow the condition’s progression.
- Partial Ligament Tears: While a full ligament tear typically requires surgical intervention, less severe ligament injuries respond well to physical therapy.
- Spinal Stenosis: This condition causes a painful narrowing in the spinal column, but you can manage your pain and mobility restrictions with gentle, targeted exercise.
- Degenerative Disc Disease: A common side effect of aging, physical therapy is more beneficial for treating DDD than surgery in most cases.
Physical Therapy vs. Surgery:
Here’s What We Can Offer
The exact details of your physical therapy treatment will vary based on several factors, including the condition or injury, your current health status, and your overall goals. Our team will work closely with you to develop a customized plan that meets your needs.
Generally speaking, we’ll begin with an extensive evaluation to help us get to the root of your discomfort. From there, we’ll pull from several different techniques to help you manage pain, eliminate restrictions in your range of motion, and improve your overall function.
At Haymarket PT, our physical therapists tailor treatment plans based on your condition, health status, and goals. Here’s why physical therapy can be a smarter choice:
Lower Costs:
Surgery involves hospital stays, anesthesia, and extended rehabilitation costs. Physical therapy offers effective care at a fraction of the cost. Studies estimate surgery can cost at least twice as much per year compared to physical therapy.
Less Downtime:
Surgery requires weeks or months of recovery. Physical therapy promotes gradual progress without invasive procedures, helping you return to daily life faster.
Decreased Risks:
Surgery comes with risks like blood clots, infections, and reliance on pain medications. Physical therapy provides non-invasive, drug-free pain relief with minimal risks.
Improved Long-Term Outcomes:
Early physical therapy strengthens muscles, improves mobility, and supports joint health, leading to better long-term results.
Why Physical Therapy Saves You More Than Time
Beyond health benefits, physical therapy significantly reduces overall expenses. Here’s how:
Fewer Complications:
No surgical risks mean fewer unexpected costs.
Shorter Recovery Periods:
Time off work is reduced, lowering indirect expenses.
No Need for Post-Surgical Therapy:
Since physical therapy is part of your primary care plan, you won’t need additional rehabilitation.
You Had Surgery–But You’re Still Struggling with Pain!
Many people mistakenly believe that surgery is a cure-all: that once they work through their rehabilitation, they’ll be back to their old selves. While this is true sometimes, other times, people find that they’re still struggling with pain or limited mobility after a surgical procedure.
If this has been your experience, then know that physical therapy may be the tool you need to find lasting relief. Just as the team at Haymarket PT can help people avoid or delay surgery, we can also ensure your surgery provides you with a successful outcome. What can we do?
- Manual therapy helps with pain and range of motion restrictions. These hands-on techniques can gradually help restore your mobility over time.
- Mobility exercises take things a step further in terms of restoring your range of motion.
- Strengthening exercises will help build muscular strength and endurance to provide support and stability to the affected joint.
- Functional training will help you relearn movements you thought you’d lost. We can also help improve gait or balance and help you perform day-to-day activities like going up or down stairs more easily.
If you’re still struggling with pain and mobility after an orthopedic surgery, call us to schedule an appointment. We’ll work together to find a plan that suits your needs and goals!
Stay Active for Better Results
Starting physical therapy early provides the best chance to avoid surgery. Our team will develop an exercise plan tailored to your lifestyle, helping you stay active and healthy. Consistent movement is essential, especially for degenerative conditions. If surgery becomes necessary later, your body will already be stronger, leading to a faster recovery. If you have a painful musculoskeletal condition, don’t resort to surgery – visit Haymarket PT first to find out if physical therapy might be a better solution for you. Call us today to get started.
Exercise Of The Month
Dead Bug
Lie down on your back with your arms by your sides, your knees bent to 90-degrees, and your feet on the floor. Raise one arm up straight and one knee up towards the ceiling at the same time. Your arm should stay straight and be pointing straight up at the top and your knee should be at 90-degrees and be pointing straight up at the top.
3 Sets, 10 Reps.
Meet Our Team
Kaitlyn O’Grady
Rehabilitation Aide
Lauren Smith, LPTA
Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant
Cheyenne McGuin-Withrow
Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant
Dr. Catalina Lemcke, PT, DPT
DPT, Director of Rehabilitation
Recipe of the Month: Pumpkin Soup
Ingredients:
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 large bunch fresh thyme
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin purée (about 2 cups)
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- Toasted pumpkin seeds and flaky sea salt, for serving (optional)
Instructions:
- Prep the ingredients. Very finely chop 1 medium yellow onion. Finely grate 3 garlic cloves. Pick the leaves from 1 large bunch fresh thyme until you have 2 tablespoons.
- Cook the aromatics. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onion and garlic and cook until fragrant, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the pumpkin and spices. Add the thyme, 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin purée, 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger, and 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper.
- Cook over medium-low until steaming and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add the vegetable broth. Add 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth and cook, stirring constantly, for 3 to 4 minutes. (The mixture will bubble.) Add the maple syrup and cream. Remove the pot from the heat.
- Add 2 tablespoons maple syrup and 2 tablespoons heavy cream, and stir to combine. (At this point, for a creamier soup, you can use an immersion blender or transfer to a blender to purée until it reaches your desired consistency.)
- Garnish and serve. Serve warm, garnished with toasted pumpkin seeds, flaky salt, fresh thyme leaves, and more black pepper.
