At Quincy Medical Group, our orthopedic trauma surgeons, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants provide personalize follow-up care to meet your abilities and injuries. While patients who undergo planned surgeries, like a hip replacement, all follow the same plan, patients who have experienced traumatic injuries will heal differently and at different rates. That’s why attending every follow-up appointment is so important. Your doctor needs to check on your progress to adjust your treatment plan.
What to Expect
You will see your doctor or advanced practice provider for your first follow-up appointment two weeks after leaving the hospital. You may continue to see your provider every couple of weeks or months over the next year. Most patients will have follow-up appointments for at least a year after their injuries. Some patients may need to follow-up for a few years if they have very complex injuries.
During your follow-up appointment, your provider will take new X-rays to see how your bones are healing. You will talk to them about your progress and any pain or other symptoms you may have. You’ll also receive physical therapy during your visit.
If your injury was caused by a medical condition like osteoporosis, you may also see an internal medicine provider during your follow-up appointment. Internal medicine providers can help you get the medicine you need to strengthen bones and prevent future injuries.
Physical and Occupational Therapy
Therapy is essential to healing from all orthopedic trauma injuries. The skilled physical and occupational therapists at Quincy Medical Group offer unique therapies that aren’t available anywhere else in town. They offer convenient care, here in the community, making it easier to stick to your therapy schedule and heal efficiently.
While your bones are healing, your muscles may get weak because they aren’t used. Your physical therapist will use exercise to help you rebuild strength and safely move. They will also give you exercises to do at home.
Occupational therapists help you regain abilities related to daily living, like getting dressed, eating or taking a shower. They will help you make a plan to complete these activities while recovering from surgery or regain these abilities once your bones have healed.
Tips for Getting the Best Results
Our goal is to help you safely heal as quickly as possible. By being an active participant in your recovery, you can help us achieve this goal. For the most effective recovery, you should:
- Attend all follow-up appointments.
- Attend all physical therapy and occupational therapy appointments.
- Perform home exercises as your therapist prescribes.
- Stop smoking.
- Improve your calcium and Vitamin D intake with dietary changes or supplements.
- Ask friends and family for support, such as caring for you after you return from the hospital or working on home exercises with you.
It’s important to remember that every injury and everybody is different. You may be back to your normal activities within two months or it may take more than six months. If you have any questions about your follow-up care, you should always speak to your physician.