physiotherapy advice for patients undergoing thoracic surgery
physiotherapy advice for patients undergoing thoracic surgery
physiotherapy advice for patients undergoing thoracic surgery
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Exercise<br />
After <strong>surgery</strong> you need to gradually increase your<br />
exercise / activity levels.<br />
• Walking is the easiest way to exercise. On<br />
discharge from hospital begin with two to three<br />
walks a day, the same distance you were<br />
managing in hospital. Then over time gradually<br />
increase this distance so that in 6-8 weeks you<br />
can walk <strong>for</strong> half an hour or more (this will<br />
depend on your fitness level be<strong>for</strong>e you had<br />
<strong>surgery</strong>, discuss distance with your<br />
physiotherapist if you had problems with<br />
mobility be<strong>for</strong>e <strong>surgery</strong>). This will improve your<br />
heart and lung fitness.<br />
• When walking remember that you should be<br />
able to hold a conversation, if you become too<br />
short of breath to do this, stop, rest and recover<br />
be<strong>for</strong>e you continue.
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