Physical Therapy for Soft Tissue Injuries Caused by Car Accidents

Personal injury attorneys often have to recommend reliable and trusted physical therapy networks to their clients. Individuals who seek representation in personal injury cases generally do so because they have suffered grievous injuries as a result of an accident or mishap, usually caused by the negligence of another person or organization.

Some of the common issues for which personal injury clients usually need physical therapy include whiplash and soft tissue injuries caused by car accidents. Physical therapy may also be required for injuries sustained at the workplace or at construction sites, factories, etc.

Hence, personal injury attorneys often have clients who need to avail physical therapy on lien in order to regain mobility and minimize the pain caused by their injuries. Therefore, they may have to be prepared with a list of trusted physical therapists in the city where they practice who are known for providing high-quality care to patients on a lien basis.

Physical Therapy for Soft Tissue Injuries

As mentioned above, soft tissue injuries are extremely common among persons who have survived a motor accident. In essence, any injury to the ligaments, muscles, or tendons can be termed a soft tissue injury. Most doctors and healthcare professionals recommend physical therapy to those who are suffering from soft tissue injuries. Some of the common types of soft tissue injuries that are caused by car accidents include sprains, bursitis, contusions, and tendonitis. We will discuss these in greater detail below.

Bursitis

The fluid-filled sacs that act as cushions between the tendons, joints, and muscles are known as bursae. When this fluid sac is swollen or irritated, it causes bursitis. Bursitis usually affects the knee, elbow, shoulder, or hip of the injured individual.

Sprains

Sprains occur when the ligaments of the human body are twisted or wrenched out of shape. Typically, sprains involve the ankles, knees, or wrists. If the ligament is torn, then this type of injury might require surgery. Usually, however, some quality physical therapy is just what is needed.

Contusions

A bruise or contusion is often the result of direct impact with a blunt or hard object. During a car accident, you might acquire contusions when your body slams against the steering wheel or dashboard of your vehicle. A contusion that doesn’t heal might indicate severe injury to the muscle fiber beneath the skin.

Tendonitis

This soft tissue injury occurs when the tendons are irritated or inflamed. The sudden and direct force applied to the tendons during an auto accident might lead to tendonitis. Treatment of tendonitis might include extensive rest, prescription painkillers, and physiotherapy.

The Required Medical Care

Most of the common soft tissue injuries—such as those mentioned above—can be treated with adequate rest, ice compression, and physical therapy. Surgery is only recommended by physicians when the damage sustained is extreme. Good personal injury physiotherapists know when they need to document injuries in order to present the required evidence during legal proceedings.

Proper documentation of the soft tissue injuries sustained during a car accident (and the treatment provided for them) might determine the outcome of a personal injury case. This is because, unlike broken bones and lacerations, soft tissue injuries can be relatively harder to prove, as the damage is almost entirely internal and does not leave many external markers. Hence, proper documentation is essential when it comes to soft tissue injuries sustained during motor accidents.

Choosing the Right Physical Therapy Network

Personal injury attorneys must spend some time thinking about the available options when it is time to recommend a physical therapy network to clients who have suffered soft tissue injuries during motor accidents. The physical therapy network that is chosen could affect the client’s health as well as the outcome of the personal injury case. Hence, it could have an impact on the injured individual’s physical as well as financial well-being.

The best physical therapy networks have various clinics for the client to choose from so that they can get the treatment they need at a convenient location without having to travel extensively for it. They also offer a variety of treatment options, including aquatic therapy, land therapy, occupational therapy, certified hand therapy, and acupuncture. After all, the treatment being offered must match the needs of each individual patient.

Most importantly, the physical therapy network that is chosen must be capable of providing treatment to patients on a lien basis, allowing them to defer the payment until the personal injury case is decided. This will allow patients to get the treatment they need without having to undergo any financial distress. The physical therapists associated with the network must also be trained to keep adequate records and maintain all necessary documentation.

In Conclusion

Choosing the right physical therapy network for soft tissue injuries caused by motor accidents is no easy task. However, if they get it right, personal injury attorneys can ensure the well-being of their clients while also improving their own chances of success in court.

The Role of Physical Therapy in Pre and Post Major Surgery Care

Personal injury attorneys often get clients who need to undergo one or more surgeries as a result of the injuries they have sustained. While surgeries can be an essential part of the process of treatment, recovering from a surgery can be both physically and emotionally difficult for the patient. Moreover, some patients might suffer from pervasive pain after a surgery, while others might find it hard to move around as much as they used to.

In such situations, personal injury attorneys might help their clients by recommending reliable physical therapy networks, where they can get pre- and post-op physical therapy on lien. High-quality physical therapy can help accident victims recover from their injuries, manage pain, and regain their mobility after a major surgery. And it would be the duty of a personal injury attorney to provide them with the information needed to get the required care.

Another reason why the intervention of a personal injury attorney might be beneficial in this case is that they would be able to recommend the best physical therapy networks that provide treatment on lien. To be treated on a lien basis simply means that the physical therapist will not ask for upfront payment at the time of treatment. Instead, the physical therapist will provide the required care and wait to be paid once the personal injury case has been settled. This allows vulnerable patients to seek the medical help they need even if they don’t have access to cash or any type of insurance coverage.

The Role of a Physical Therapist in Pre- and Post-op Care

Physical therapists are healthcare professionals who are trained to help patients regain their strength, mobility, and independence after a debilitating injury, accident, or surgery. In order to accomplish this goal, physical therapists often help patients undertake special exercises, learn stretches and techniques, and utilize specialized equipment to perform day-to-day tasks.

They have the required training to recognize areas of weakness in the human body and to correct them without excessive pain. Because of this, they understand the impact of surgery on the human body and can craft a program to accelerate recovery. While some physical therapists focus their efforts on a single part or region of the body, others provide a wide variety of services.

There are multiple, well-documented benefits associated with receiving high-quality physical therapy before and after a major surgery. Pre-op therapy can help prepare patients physically and mentally for surgical procedures. By doing so, such physical therapy can reduce the risk of postoperative infections and consequently improve surgical outcomes.

After the surgery is complete, regular physical therapy can help the patient quickly regain his or her strength and mobility. As a result, it could reduce the length of hospital stays and help make the injured individual more independent and self-reliant. These are just a few of the positive impacts of physical therapy in personal injury cases where surgery is required. Hence, personal injury attorneys should learn about the most reliable and trustworthy physical therapy networks operating in their city or neighborhood.

The Outcome of Regular Stretching and Exercise

The act of stretching facilitates mobility and increases joint flexibility, allowing patients to recover their full range of motion quickly after a surgery. Major operative procedures often cause soft tissue to contract, resulting in the formation of scar tissue that makes it harder to move.

Regular stretching, if performed under the supervision of an experienced physical therapist, can prevent these scar tissues from retarding the pace of rehabilitation. Hence, stretching makes it easier to perform simple tasks like climbing stairs and reaching overhead for patients recovering from surgery.

The exercises recommended by physical therapists, on the other hand, help build strength and improve muscle mass. Patients who have suffered neck, back, and shoulder injuries can benefit greatly from regular exercising.

Most physical therapists also recommend exercises designed to rebuild stability and strength in the midsection, or core of the body. Because the core is, in many ways, the center and foundation of the body, a weak core could lead to further injuries and ailments in the future. This is why core-strengthening exercises are an integral element of most modern pre- and post-op physical therapy routines.

Some other types of physical therapy offered by reputed networks and practitioners include aquatic therapy, land therapy, acupuncture, occupational therapy, and certified hand therapy. The best physical therapy networks catering to personal injury litigants offer treatment for a wide variety of conditions and injuries, including auto injuries, work-related injuries, musculoskeletal injuries, neck and back disorders, and functional restoration. Pre- and post-op physical therapy is also one of the services that these networks typically offer.

In Conclusion

For those who have suffered a major injury in recent years and are recovering from one or more surgeries, physical therapy can be an important part of the healing process. Therefore, personal injury attorneys should not hesitate to inform their clients of the many benefits of physical therapy, as and when appropriate. They should also do some research to learn about the most trusted providers of such therapy in their area.

5 Ways in Which Physical Therapy is Beneficial for Post-Surgical Recovery

Physical Thereapy

Physicians and medical professionals around the world recommend physical therapy for those who are recovering from surgery. It can help patients regain their mobility and manage the pain after a harrowing surgical procedure, such as open-heart surgery or hip replacement.

Physical therapy plays a crucial role in rehabilitating patients after their surgery and helping them to regain their independence and return to their normal lives.

A qualified and experienced physical therapist crafts a treatment plan according to the needs of each individual patient. They can tailor the treatment plan to help patients achieve their individual goals with a combination of exercises, physical therapy equipment, acupuncture, and more.

There are various types of therapy that are available for people with varying needs, including aquatic therapy, occupational therapy, certified hand therapy, and land therapy.

5 Reasons to Get Physical Therapy after a Surgery

Various studies have demonstrated the benefits of partaking in therapy after major surgery. The five primary reasons why physical therapy is considered to be an essential part of the post-surgery rehabilitation process are as follows:

1. Enhanced Balance and Mobility

Surgery can weaken the parts of the body that have been operated on, thus resulting in poor mobility and balance. The natural response of the human body, after an invasive procedure such as surgery, would be to try and protect the affected area from further trauma.

This can lead to spasms, muscle tightness, swelling, and a feeling of general weakness in the area. These factors can easily hinder motion and reduce the patient’s ability to complete day-to-day tasks.

Physical therapy makes use of techniques such as strengthening exercises and myofascial release to help patients regain their former levels of mobility and dexterity.

Exercises designed to strengthen the muscles of the pelvis, back, and torso help improve balance and increase physical stability. Therefore, such exercises are especially beneficial for patients who have undergone hip or knee replacement surgeries.

2. Reduced Swelling and Pain:

Swelling is one of the most common side effects of surgery. It is usually considered a normal part of the recovery process, although the severity of it can vary from one person to another. Swelling is caused when chemicals that stimulate nerve endings generate inflammation and compress the nerves.

This leads to pain, swelling, and other symptoms associated with the healing process. However, although it is quite normal and expected, too much swelling can cause discomfort, hinder mobility, and give rise to pain. When this happens, steps need to be taken to reduce the swelling and hasten recovery.

The movement and exercises that patients partake in during the sessions can help reduce swelling, which will in turn prevent post-surgical pain from becoming a chronic issue.

Physical therapy increases the speed of the natural healing process, which allows patients to return quickly to their normal lives and regain their independence as soon as possible.

3. Fewer Scar Tissues:

The contraction of soft tissue and the formation of scar tissue are natural parts of the healing process after an injury or operation. No matter which part of the body has been operated on, scarring can be a natural consequence of the procedure.

However, the problem arises when the formation of excess scar tissue starts hindering mobility and functionality for several weeks or months after the surgery is over.

Ultrasound therapy, aquatic therapy, and massage therapy are some of the techniques that a physical therapist can use in order to enhance the speed of tissue mobilization and soften the scar tissue to increase mobility. By helping soften the scar tissue caused by the surgery, physical therapists can enable patients to regain their normal levels of flexibility faster.

4. Prevents Secondary Health Issues:

Some of the secondary health complications that can develop as a result of surgery are blood clots, infections, and chronic pain. Physical therapy can be instrumental in minimizing the risk of such debilitating and expensive secondary health issues.

Physical therapists develop tailored exercises that enable patients to stave off blood clots and contractures. They can also recommend exercises that would decrease the risk of infection and inflammation, which can cause long-term health problems after surgery.

5. Greater Flexibility:

The forced inactivity after surgery causes muscle stiffness and weakening. As a result, the patient is stranded with stiff joints and tight muscles, which increase the risk of further injury and hinder mobility. It can become very difficult for the patient to perform daily activities, such as climbing stairs or rising from a chair.

This is why physical therapy is such an important part of post-surgical recovery. Physical therapists recommend gentle stretching exercises that help keep the muscles and joints limber during the time of recovery. This ensures that by the time the patient is released from the hospital, they have regained much of their mobility and flexibility.

Conclusion

Mentioned above are some of the ways in which therapy can help patients return to their normal lifestyle after surgery. For the best results, however, patients need to select a reliable and trustworthy physical therapy network to work with.