Surgery is only half the equation. What happens in the weeks and months after an operation has a direct bearing on the final outcome, and Mr Balakumar treats recovery with the same seriousness he brings to the procedure itself. He works with a multidisciplinary team including a nurse practitioner and a network of physiotherapists to support patients through every stage of recovery, from the first steps after surgery through to returning to full activity.
Understanding what drives good recovery, and what gets in the way of it, helps patients take an active role in their own rehabilitation rather than waiting passively for healing to happen.
(03) 9573 9659
Physiotherapy is integral to recovery from most orthopaedic procedures. In the immediate post-operative period the focus is on safe mobilisation, reducing swelling and restoring range of motion. Over the following weeks and months the programme shifts to rebuilding muscle strength, improving balance and returning to normal activity.
Mr Balakumar provides detailed post-operative instructions that guide the physiotherapist at each stage. He works with a preferred network of physiotherapists who are familiar with his protocols and can support recovery in the community. Consistent engagement with rehabilitation has a direct influence on the final outcome, and patients who follow their programme closely consistently do better than those who do not.
The body needs adequate raw materials to repair itself after surgery. Protein is the primary building block for muscle and soft tissue, and ensuring sufficient intake in the weeks before and after an operation supports the healing process. Vitamin C, zinc and vitamin D also play important roles in wound healing and bone metabolism. Patients who are undernourished or who have significant dietary deficiencies are at higher risk of complications and slower recovery.
Maintaining a healthy body weight before surgery also reduces the load on the recovering joint and improves overall surgical outcomes, particularly for hip and knee procedures.
The body does the majority of its tissue repair during sleep. Poor sleep quality or insufficient sleep in the post-operative period slows recovery, increases pain perception and impairs immune function. This is particularly relevant in the first few weeks after surgery when the healing process is most active.
If pain or anxiety is significantly disrupting sleep after surgery, this should be raised with Mr Balakumar or the GP so that appropriate support can be arranged. Managing sleep well is not a minor consideration. It is a meaningful contributor to how quickly and completely a patient recovers.
Returning to activity after orthopaedic surgery is a graduated process. Too little activity results in muscle weakness, stiffness and a slower return to function. Too much too soon places excessive load on healing tissue and increases the risk of setbacks.
Mr Balakumar provides clear weight-bearing milestones and activity guidelines for each procedure. These are specific to the operation performed and are reinforced by the physiotherapy team throughout the recovery period.
Following these guidelines carefully, and communicating with the team if something does not feel right, is one of the most important things a patient can do to support their own recovery.
Recovery from orthopaedic surgery is not something patients navigate alone. Mr Balakumar’s team includes a nurse practitioner who is involved in clinical care from the point a surgical plan is made, a fellow who sees patients at the two-week post-operative mark, and a network of physiotherapists who collaborate closely with the broader team.
Where recovery deviates from the expected pathway, the team communicates directly to identify the cause and adjust the plan. Every patient is treated as an individual, and the recovery programme is adapted based on both the procedure performed and the patient’s specific circumstances.
Mr Balakumar is one of a small number of surgeons in Australia with formal training in both paediatric and adult hip surgery. His fellowship at Harvard’s Children’s Hospital in Boston, under some of the world’s leading specialists in hip preservation, gives him a depth of expertise that is difficult to find in a single practice.
His approach is the same whether the patient is 6 months or 65 years old – thorough assessment, honest options, and no pressure toward surgery until the clinical picture clearly supports it.
(03) 9573 9659
