After surgery to a muscle, it is common for the area or nearby regions to exhibit muscle guarding. Muscle guarding is a protective mechanism that can happen in response to injury or pain, and this can result in subconsciously tense muscles surrounding the affected area.
Without knowing the full extent of your reconstructive surgery, it is difficult to comment on whether this muscle will return to normal, but if you are able to consciously relax it, this may indicate that it will improve. In general, reconstructive surgeries are done when there has been significant trauma to the muscle or a severe overuse injury. In this case, there can be a fear of re-injuring the muscle that contributes to the continued muscle guarding. This is a normal and expected part of the rehabilitation process after a surgery. Initial healing timelines for muscle is about 6 weeks, however a severe tear or injury may take longer.
Another part of this healing timeline is the “Contraction” phase which can last for up to a month after surgery. This phase may be contributing to the tension as it involves a reduction in the wound size making the muscle feel tighter. It is a good practice to relax this muscle when you notice that it is abnormally tense because awareness and repetition of this relaxation may help the muscle to return to its normal resting state.
In addition to this, tight muscles generally benefit from gentle stretching as well as strengthening.
Move more, worry less!
As physical therapists, we know the importance of movement for overall health and well-being. Our passion is to help everyone we work with reach their goals and live an active, pain-free life. Get started with physical therapy today!