Surgical Physiotherapy

Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Rehabilitation

As with all post-operative management, the primary goals of Physiotherapy are respiratory care and early mobilisation. In patients who have undergone reconstructive surgeries, this can be more challenging as the new flaps and grafts will require special care. Our physiotherapists use modified techniques to assist patients to increase joint mobility, muscle strength and function to optimise recovery and to prevent post-operative complications.

Common surgeries that require post-operative Physiotherapy include:

Breast reconstruction following mastectomy
Facial reconstruction
Head and neck reconstruction
Lower limb defects (e.g. de-gloving injuries, open-fractures)
Tummy-tuck (abdominoplasty)
Liposuction

After discharge, patients with scarring and stiffness post reconstruction patients may be referred for Outpatient Physiotherapy to continue rehabilitation to regain mobility, strength and functional abilities.

Pre-habilitation Program

Pre-habilitation is a process to improve or optimize physical and psychological health before receiving acute medical or surgical treatment surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy. It aims to establish baseline status, identify impairments and reduce the incidence and / or severity of future impairment after treatment. It helps empower patients with knowledge and skills for early mobilization and continuing an active lifestyle.

Depending on the needs of the patient, the Physiotherapy session can included some or all of these at an inpatient or outpatient setting:

Assessment

Cough and maximal inspiratory effort
Physical fitness (lower limb strength and aerobic fitness)

Pre-operative / Pre-treatment education and practice
Respiratory muscle strengthening program
Individualized supervised exercise program
Individualized home exercise program

Patients who may benefit from a pre-habilitation program include those with the following symptoms:

Fatigue with increased shortness of breath
Significant weight lost
Reduced muscle strength and function

Patients who are interested should speak to their primary physician for more information.

Renal and Liver Transplant Rehabilitation

Physiotherapy services are provided for transplant donors and recipients to optimise physical fitness before transplant to facilitate recovery as well as to restore physical function after transplant. For transplant patients, ongoing exercise is necessary to prevent and reverse the side effects of long term use of immunosuppressive drugs such as osteoporosis and obesity. For effective exercise prescription and progression, patients will undergo individualised assessment and review. Patients will be closely guided and empowered for self-efficacious home exercise program and management.

Patients can be referred by the Liver or Renal Transplant doctor for Physiotherapy in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

Amputee Rehabilitation

Along with the Multidisciplinary team, the Physiotherapy Department provides a full continuum of rehabilitative needs for patient with upper and lower limb amputation.

Physiotherapy management include:

Wound management
Oedema management
Pain control
Re-conditioning and mobility training
Pre and post prosthetic rehabilitation
Fitting of prosthesis
Discharge planning
Rehabilitation towards return to function and work

Our Team aims to enable patient to achieve their Goals of Rehabilitation for desirable quality of life.