What You Need To Know About Orthopedic Physical Therapy Oak Forest IL

By Elizabeth Morgan


Orthopedics is a medical field that specializes on injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The musculoskeletal system is composed of bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and the nerves which allow an individual to move, work and stay active. Nevertheless, if a person suffered an injury to his or her musculoskeletal system, they can greatly benefit through orthopedic physical therapy Oak Forest IL.

Usually, there are various orthopedical injuries and conditions. Some of this conditions are such as ligament sprains, fractures, tendonitis, muscle strains, bursitis and post-operative conditions. A person who is suffering from these injuries or conditions may experience pain, loss of strength and range of motion as well as limited functional mobility. On the other hand, the impairments make your recreational and normal activities less enjoyable.

Ordinarily, orthopedic physical therapy aims at assisting the injury to heal and improving motion, functional mobility and the individual's strength. In some cases, though, after a surgery, a patient may be required to observe some limitations resulting from the surgery but at times an orthopedic therapist may also be required to assist the patient to go through the post-operative rehabilitation program. This program assists them to start all over safely and faster and could even go back to their previous lifestyle. This therapy, in addition, can be beneficial in getting rid of injuries that inhibit pain and limit one's mobility by causing damage to either a soft or bony tissue structure.

When going through the rehab, your therapist utilizes specific tools in order to assist you to recover. These tools may include therapeutic modalities such as ultrasound, ice, electrical stimulation, and heat. Your therapist can also use assistive devices such as a walker or canes. Other tools are such as exercise tools and equipment, orthotics and prosthetics, evaluation and assessment tools, and soft tissue massage. However, the main tool to help you recover fully and prevent future orthopedic problems, are exercises.

Your therapist should teach you the ideal exercises depending on your condition, to help restore your mobility. Some of the exercises can also be done at home. Therapists usually use different exercises that include strengthening exercises, flexibility and stretching exercises, balance exercises, endurance exercises, as well as functional mobility and those exercises which improve your range of motion.

In Oak Forest IL, surgery is the last option in dealing and treating musculoskeletal issues. First off, they apply less invasive procedures like physical therapy and medication and if these do not act as pain relievers then surgery is considered and recommended. The most common surgeries are those that are done on the back, shoulders, knee, ankle, hip among others.

The sooner you get advice on a musculoskeletal problem, the earlier you start the treatment for the specific problem. When the treatments are given earlier the issue does not become severe. Your doctor narrows to the root cause and designs a treatment plan for your condition.

Basically, your orthopedic doctor begins treatment to your problem by diagnosing the injury or the disorder. After diagnosis, treatment begins followed by a rehab. Finally, prevention is usually done to prevent the disease or the injury from occurring again. Prevention may be done through several treatment plans and information.




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