Physical Therapy For Postoperative Edema

By Kiel Kyer SPT

What is Postoperative Edema?

Edema is swelling of body limbs that occurs due to a build-up of fluid within the tissues. Physical therapy for postoperative edema can ease the way for the normal initial edema after surgery.  Your body undergoes the first phase of healing, where inflammatory proteins become active to help skin, soft tissue, and bone recover from the trauma of having surgery. If not properly managed, edema can become more chronic in nature and can have a negative impact on:

• Pain and sensation
• Scar tissue formation
• Range of motion
• Muscle activity
• Blood circulation
• Balance

Consulting with a physical therapist to discuss physical therapy for postoperative edema can help improve healing from surgery and help you regain functional movement.

Management of Postoperative Edema

• Ice
  • Decreases swelling by constricting blood vessels in the area, this makes it so less inflammatory proteins are active.
  • Decreases pain by numbing nerves in the area
• Elevation of the limb
  • Elevating the limb above heart level utilizes gravity to help guide extra fluid back towards the heart
• Exercise
  • Joint motion and muscle contractions from performing exercises help  pump fluids back up into the heart
• Compression Bandaging
  • When used with exercise compression bandaging provides support to underlying tissues and promotes more fluid circulation
• Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)
  • MLD is a type of skin stretching massage a physical therapist will utilize to help promote movement of fluid out of a limb.

Where To Get Help

It is important to contact a professional with experience in physical therapy for postoperative edema and related conditions. At Capital Area Physical Therapy, we are committed to providing the latest treatments and techniques available for our patients. We actively and consistently work to provide our patients with the highest standards in physical therapy care.  Call us at (518) 289-5242 to schedule an appointment at one of our physical therapy clinics  in Queensbury, Malta and Saratoga Springs NY, serving the Warren, Washington, Saratoga County regions.