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Orthopaedic Physiotherapy

Post-Operative Rehabilitation

Guided recovery after knee replacement, spine surgery, fracture fixation or ligament repair, to restore movement and strength safely.

Surgery is often only the first half of recovery - what happens in physiotherapy afterward largely determines how much strength, movement and independence a patient regains. Structured post-operative rehabilitation, started at the right time and progressed carefully, makes a measurable difference to the final outcome.

Understanding Post-Operative Recovery

After surgery, tissues need time to heal, but muscles around the operated area also weaken quickly from reduced use. Post-operative physiotherapy carefully balances protecting the healing surgical site with restoring movement and strength early enough to prevent stiffness and muscle loss - a balance that requires professional guidance rather than guesswork.

Common Causes

Signs & Symptoms

Stiffness in the operated joint or area
Weakness in surrounding muscles
Swelling around the surgical site
Reduced confidence in weight-bearing or movement
Pain during specific movements as healing progresses
Difficulty with daily tasks during early recovery

Our Approach to Treatment

Rehabilitation is carefully staged according to the surgeon's protocol and healing timeline:

  • Early-stage gentle movement to prevent stiffness, within safe limits
  • Swelling and pain management
  • Progressive strengthening as healing allows
  • Gait training for lower-limb surgeries
  • Range-of-motion restoration exercises
  • A structured plan to safely return to daily activities and independence

Treatment is coordinated with the patient's surgical team and follows the recommended post-operative protocol for their specific procedure.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should physiotherapy start after surgery?

This depends on the type of surgery and the surgeon's specific protocol - some cases benefit from very early gentle movement, while others need a longer initial rest period. We coordinate timing based on your surgeon's guidance.

Is post-operative physiotherapy painful?

Some discomfort during progressive movement is normal as strength and mobility are rebuilt, but therapy is paced to stay within safe, tolerable limits - it should never cause sharp or severe pain.

Do you provide home visits for post-surgery patients?

Yes, home-visit physiotherapy is available for patients in the early recovery period who are not yet able to travel comfortably to the clinic.

Recover fully after surgery

The right rehabilitation plan makes a real difference to your final outcome.