Physiotherapy After Surgery: Getting the Most From Recovery
Why post-surgical rehab matters, how to time it, and how to work with your surgeon's plan.
Why timing matters
Surgery creates a window where tissue is healing and movement patterns reset. Early, well-staged rehab helps you protect the repair, prevent stiffness, and rebuild capacity efficiently.
Working with your surgeon's protocol
If your surgeon has provided a protocol, your physiotherapist should follow it carefully — and adapt to how your tissue is actually responding. Where there's no protocol, evidence-based timelines guide the plan.
Phases of recovery
- Protect — manage swelling, pain, and movement within safe ranges.
- Restore — regain range of motion and basic strength.
- Build — progressive strengthening and motor control.
- Return — sport- or task-specific demands, return-to-work or return-to-sport criteria.
Common procedures we rehab
Knee (ACL, meniscus, total knee replacement), hip (total hip replacement, labral repair), shoulder (rotator cuff repair, labral repair, total shoulder), ankle stabilization, spinal procedures, abdominal and pelvic surgeries.
Setbacks happen
A flare or setback isn't a sign you've failed — it's a sign to adjust the plan. We expect some bumps in any recovery.
Related care
Personalized rehab after orthopedic and other surgeries to restore strength, mobility, and function.
General physiotherapy for pain, injury, mobility, and function.
Structured rehab following orthopedic and other surgeries.
ACL, meniscus, patellofemoral pain, knee replacement rehab, and runner's knee.
Rotator cuff, impingement, frozen shoulder, and post-surgical shoulder care.
Hip impingement, bursitis, osteoarthritis, and post-replacement rehab.
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