Lasers are used extensively in human dermatology, surgery, ophthalmology and dentistry. The goal of physical therapy is to enhance return of function to the injured part. Gone are the days where the patient is dismissed to the owners own devices following suture removal. Follow up visits to determine post-operative progress significantly impact how well the patient recovers. Physical therapy begins in an effort to reduce postoperative inflammation, preserve normal joint dynamics and muscle mass and progresses to more vigorous muscle training and strengthening, reclaims proprioception and return of athletic ability.
All surgical wounds create inflammation and it is a necessary prerequisite to normal tissue repair.
Early passive manipulation helps reduce pain and preserve range of motion. As inflammation resolves, capillaries, fibroblasts, nerve, muscle, cells and bone cells begin their growth and repair. Here the role of physical therapy is to preserve muscle mass, preserve rage of motion of affected joints and gradually challenge the healing tissues. Ultrasound Ultrasound itself will increase fibroblastic activity, hasten wound healing, increase acoustic streaming and hence promote healing in and around the area and will enhance cell metabolism. Massage Historically massage has been discussed as early as 1000 B.C. in Chinese literature.