April 18, 2022
Hernia Clinic Exercise and Stretch Videos
Welcome!
Hernia repairs are one of the most common procedures performed by general surgeons today, but many people do not know what to expect afterward. After undergoing abdominal wall reconstruction or hernia repair, a patient’s body has a new ability to stabilize its “core.” Rehabilitation of the core after these operations is important to maintain function and flexibility and can help reduce pain. This is a guide to help your patient regain function and restore abdominal core health.
Overview: Physical therapy should begin after week 2 post-operatively unless your surgeon tells you otherwise. You should have received post-op instructions for self-guided stretches and exercises to perform at home during weeks 0-2, which are shown in the video below. Before moving on to the next section of videos, make sure that you have met the goals for the previous week’s exercises. You will be scheduled for a follow-up with a surgeon approximately 14-30 days post-op, but you can begin physical therapy before this appointment. If you have any questions or concerns about starting physical therapy under these guidelines, you should consult with your surgeon and/or the surgeon’s orders for physical therapy.