Why Physiotherapy after
Hysterectomy???
Hysterectomy is an operation to remove the
uterus and sometimes other reproductive organs such as the cervix, fallopian
tubes and ovaries. Physiotherapy before and after your
operation is recommended to help you return to your normal daily routine as
soon as possible.
Hysterectomy is the second most frequently
performed surgery in the females. About 20-30% women are likely to undergo
hysterectomy at some point on their lives. The reasons for hysterectomy can be
various and the surgical approach required for it are also different, among
which the abdomen route brings greatest complications and majority of total
hysterectomies are performed via open abdomen route worldwide. Patients
undergoing hysterectomy are susceptible to complications that may present
immediately or in later life.
In view of this, physiotherapy plays an
important role in this processes for both before and after surgery and minimizing the complications with measures such as:
• Early walking
• Minimizing post-operative pain
• Preventing the development of
adhesions over your scar
• Thrombosis- blood clots blocks veins and arteries
• Walking pattern &
Posture
• Pelvic floor muscle
dysfunctions
• Abdominal weakness
• Intensive respiratory therapy- use of respiratory physiotherapy techniques preventing breathing complications.
As post-surgery it takes time for an
incision to heal. After two weeks a wound only has 10% of its original
strength. By six weeks most internal healing has occurred and the tissue has
regained 75% of its original strength. So to assist the healing and a proper
recovery a physiotherapist advice is needed.
Post-surgery physiotherapy is required to make you mobile, to prevent scar adhesions, to strengthen abdominal and pelvic floor muscles.
So how does a physiotherapist help in above factors?
Things that you can do before
surgery:
• Maintain fitness by walking
daily – aim for up to 30 mins a day.
• Practice deep breathing
exercises.
• Practice huffing and coughing techniques which will help to clear cough from chest which usually develops following the surgery.
• Manage any current lung conditions or chronic cough together with your general practitioner.
Physiotherapy after surgery:
You may be in hospital for 5-7 days
depending on the type of hysterectomy and your recovery rate. When you have
been discharged from hospital it is important to begin physiotherapy program
created by physiotherapist for you.
Physiotherapy when you are in Hospital: (week
1)
• Mobility- early walking, bed
mobility- side turning in bed, getting up from the bed, sitting in bed
• Breathing techniques
• Ankle Pumps, elevation of lower
limbs to prevent vascular complications
• Abdominal splinting techniques
for wound healing
• Electrotherapy – for pain
relief
• Lower limb strengthening
exercises and maintaining range of motion exercises
• Advice on scar management after
discharge
Physiotherapy after going back home: (week
2-6)
Now your symptoms start reducing and you
will gradually be able to return to your normal daily routine.
·
Progressing strengthening exercise
·
Progressing Abdominal exercises
·
Pelvic floor exercises- doing them in more functional positions
·
Including more functional activities relating to your hobbies and
work
·
Pacing of activities
Physiotherapy for once you start doing all your
daily activities: (week 7 onwards up to 12 months)
Now one will be gradually returning to your
activities of daily routine and experiencing little or no pain.
After 6 weeks one can start lifting activities
without pain, but not to lift heavy weights for up to 6 months.
Your physiotherapist will now concentrate on
functional activities relating to achieve your Goals, your physiotherapist will
design a program just for you according to your personal goals. So one must consult
a physiotherapist post hysterectomy for your overall fitness and improve
quality of life. So one can go back to your previous life healthy, travel, go
shopping and stay fit and be happy.
“Enjoy the adventure called life"
