INTRODUCTION TO
POST-OPERATIVE REFERENCES
EXERCISES
There are many possible complications after
surgery. Because of decreased activity, there
may be complications with your lungs and
your circulation. Post-operative exercises are
exercises that are done after surgery that can
help prevent possible complications and can
help you recover as quickly as possible.
POST-OPERATIVE
EXERCISES
Black, J.M., & Hawks, J.H. (2008).Medical-surgical nursing, 8thed.St.
PREPARED BY:
Louis, MI: Elsevier
Hoogeboom, T.J., Dronkers, J.J., Hulzebos, E.H.J., & van Meeteren, ALBULARIO, TIARA
N.L.U. (2014). Merits of exercise therapy before and after
major surgery.Current Opinion in Anaesthesiology, 27(2). doi:
10.1097/ACO.0000000000000062 AMPLAYO, DARLYN
Lewis, S.L., Dirksen, S.R., Heitkemper, M.M., Bucher, L., & Harding,
M.M. (2017).Medical surgical nursing: Assessment LERMA, SHANNA
and management of clinical problems, 10thed.St. Louis, MI: Elsevier
 A. DEEP-BREATHING EXERCISES St eps in doing leg exercises
TYPES OF One important post-operative exercise is deep
POST-OPERA TI V E breathing. Deep breathing exercises are
1.You can do these exercises while sitting in bed
EX ERCI SES important as it helps expand the lungs after or lying flat in bed. Do each of these exercises
surgery. Because of this, it helps prevent five times.
complications such as lung collapse and
2.Exercise the ankles by rotating each foot in
respiratory infections. Deep breathing exercises
one direction and then the opposite direction.
can also help in pain management
3.For the next leg exercise, move your feet by
St eps in doing t he deep -breat hing
A. DEEP-BREATHING alternately pointing them towards your head
exercises:
and then towards the foot of the bed.
EXERCISES 1.This can be done while you are sitting down
4.Next, raise your legs one at a time while
or lying in bed. If you experience pain upon
B. LEG EXERCISES breathing, you can splint your incision using a keeping them straight.
pillow to minimize discomfort. 5.Bend and straighten your knees by sliding your
C. TURNING EXERCISES 2.Start by placing your hands on your ribs with heels up and down the bed.
your fingers touching in the middle.
6.Repeat these exercises every hour until you
3.Take a slow, deep breath through your nose. are up and walking around.
You should feel your ribs push against your
hands. You would know if you are breathing
deeply enough if your fingers separate from
each other once you breathe in. C.TURNING EXERCISES
4.Hold your breath for 3-4 seconds.
5.Slowly exhale through pursed lips until all the It is also important to move in bed and change
air is gone. your position often, at least every two hours
while awake. This helps in maintaining good
6.You can do this 3-5 times every hour. blood circulation in the body and preventing
pressure ulcers. You can do this by turning to
B. LEG EXERCISES your sides or sitting up on the side of the bed
once tolerated.
Leg exercises are important to maintain good blood
circulation in your legs, maintain muscle strength,
and prevent joint stiffness