After a bunion surgery, physical therapy treatment can be beneficial. Physical therapy works to manage discomfort and promote healing while you recover. If you haven’t undergone bunion surgery yet, physical therapy can still be helpful. Your physical therapist can help you improve your fitness and prepare for the surgery. Learning about the PT treatments used after surgery can help you understand what to expect with your recovery.
About 1 in 5 people have bunions, experts estimate. A bunion, also called hallux valgus, is a bony bump that can form near the joint of the big toe. Bunions can develop on one or both feet. If you have bunions, getting treatment may be a top priority. Bunions tend to come with localized pain, swelling and soreness. Left unaddressed, these symptoms can worsen. They can also lead to discomfort in other parts of the foot, as your bunion may press against your other toes.
In some cases, surgery is necessary to remove painful bunions. Surgery can help relieve pain and correct alignment issues. Following surgery, physical therapy can play a key role in supporting your recovery.
Top physical therapy treatments after bunion surgery
Flexibility exercises — Your symptoms might not go away immediately after surgery. You may continue to experience some stiffness and tension around your foot for some time. With flexibility-oriented exercises, physical therapy can help relieve lingering stiffness. Your physical therapist may prescribe exercises that target your feet, specifically your toes and the surrounding tissue. Other beneficial exercises might also target the lower parts of your legs. Some exercises that may help you include toe stretches, ankle rotations and foot rolls. These exercises can reduce stiffness and improve your range of motion. They are typically introduced early in the recovery process, allowing you to start addressing lingering symptoms as soon as possible.
Strengthening exercises — After surgery, your foot may feel weak. Weak foot muscles can lead to pain and balance difficulties; strengthening exercises can address these symptoms. Your physical therapist may start introducing strengthening exercises once the initial pain and swelling from surgery subside. These strengthening exercises will work to build muscle in your foot and lower leg. The muscles in these regions are essential to arch support and maintaining balance. Your physical therapist may incorporate heel raises, calf raises, resistance band exercises and more into your exercise plan. Your exercise plan will be tailored to your needs and recovery goals.
Blood flow restriction (BFR) therapy — Blood flow restriction (BFR) therapy can make a big impact on your strength training. This form of therapy is designed to accelerate strength building and promote muscle tissue growth. If your leg and foot muscles are weak following bunion surgery, BFR can help you recover. This treatment method involves using a specialized tourniquet cuff. When the cuff is applied to your leg while you exercise, it can help you build strength without engaging in high-intensity exercises. Because this technique enables major strength gains while engaging in low-intensity exercises, it can help you improve your condition in a safe, sustainable way.
Aquatic therapy — After bunion surgery, you may continue experiencing pain and swelling for multiple weeks. These symptoms can make it difficult to engage in high-impact exercises that put a lot of pressure on your feet. If you want to keep working toward your fitness goals without hurting your feet, aquatic therapy can be a great option. Conducted in a pool environment, aquatic therapy can enable you to get the exercise you need without putting weight or strain on your feet.
Dry needling — Looking for rapid relief following your surgery? Dry needling can offer significant benefits. This technique is designed to address pain, discomfort and stiffness caused by muscle tension. Using this technique, your physical therapist will insert dry, sterile needles into the areas that are causing you pain. This technique works to release muscle knots. It can also stimulate blood flow, which can reduce swelling and enable you to heal faster.
Get comprehensive physical therapy at KC Rehab after your bunion surgery
Physical therapy rehabilitation can be key to staying comfortable and regaining your capabilities after surgery. At KC Rehab, we’re committed to helping each patient make a successful recovery. Our goal is to provide top-notch physical therapy service to our patients all around the greater Kansas City, Missouri, metro area. We have several locations to ensure convenience and accessibility. With treatment techniques including personalized exercise prescriptions and dry needling, we can provide the help you need to make a full recovery from your bunion surgery.
Contact our team today for more information about our postsurgical rehab techniques or to schedule an initial appointment.
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