By Mrs Hiteswari Sahoo, Senior Occupational Therapist, Trichy
Occupational Therapy is an essential part of recovery after plastic and reconstructive surgeries. While surgeons repair or rebuild the body, Occupational Therapists help patients regain movement, reduce stiffness, and return to normal daily activities. After surgeries involving burns, hand injuries, nerve repairs, fractures, or skin grafts, patients often experience swelling, tightness, and difficulty moving. OT helps manage these issues through guided exercises, scar care, and safe activity training.
Therapeutic Exercises
Occupational Therapists teach simple and safe movements that help the operated area heal properly. These include:
- Hand and finger movements to improve flexibility
- Stretching to prevent tight skin or stiff joints
- Strengthening activities to rebuild muscle power
- Functional tasks like grasping, writing, dressing, and lifting
These exercises also reduce pain, prevent deformities, and help patients use the affected body part naturally again. For nerve injuries, OTs also help the muscles “relearn” movement through gradual and meaningful activities.
Role of Splinting
Splinting is a major part of Occupational Therapy in plastic surgery. A splint is a custom-made support used to:
- Protect the surgical repair
- Keep joints in the correct position
- Prevent stiffness or contractures
- Allow controlled and safe movement
Splints help the healing tissues stay safe while still allowing necessary motion during recovery.
Overall Importance
Occupational Therapy ensures that the benefits of surgery are long-lasting. It supports healthy healing, restores function, and helps patients confidently return to work, school, and daily routines.
Plastic surgery repairs the body, and Occupational Therapy helps people to use it again — making recovery complete.
