Rehabilitation after orthopaedic surgery
A successful operation is only half the journey. How you recover over the following weeks and months has a big influence on the final result: how well the joint moves, how strong you become and how soon you get back to work, sport and everyday life. Post-surgical rehabilitation at PhysioLife follows your surgeon’s protocol and adapts it to your progress.
The operations we most often help people recover from include:
- Knee and hip replacements.
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and meniscus surgery.
- Shoulder surgery, such as rotator cuff repair or stabilisation after dislocation.
- Spinal surgery, for example after a disc herniation or a spinal fusion.
- Ankle and wrist surgery, and fixation after fractures.
Before and after your operation
If your operation is planned, a few sessions beforehand can be worthwhile. You build strength, learn your first exercises, practise with crutches and know what to expect. Many people find the early days after surgery easier when they are prepared.
After surgery, rehabilitation usually moves through several stages: protecting the healing tissues and managing pain and swelling; restoring movement; progressive strengthening; and finally returning to the specific activities you need. Moving from one stage to the next is based on clear criteria, not just the calendar. Our post-surgery rehabilitation guide explains this in more detail.
How we work at PhysioLife
1. Assessment. We read your operation notes and your surgeon’s instructions on movement and weight-bearing, and check the wound, your range of movement and your strength.
2. A tailored plan. Every operation comes with its own precautions. After some hip replacements, for example, certain positions should be avoided for a period, while after a rotator cuff repair the arm is protected for several weeks. We follow these instructions closely and liaise with your surgeon when needed.
3. Exercise and hands-on treatment. The core of the programme is progressive exercise therapy, supported by manual therapy. After knee surgery, see also our page on knee injuries.
4. Home programme. Clear, written exercises to do every day between sessions.
What to expect
Sessions are more frequent in the first weeks and then spread out as you become more independent. Timescales vary widely: after a straightforward arthroscopy a few weeks may be enough, whereas after a joint replacement or ACL reconstruction rehabilitation usually continues for several months.
During exercise you may feel tightness, fatigue or moderate discomfort. This is usually expected, as long as it settles within the day and swelling is not building from one session to the next.
When to contact a doctor straight away
- Fever, or redness, heat or discharge from the wound.
- Pain, swelling or warmth in the calf.
- Breathlessness or chest pain: go to A&E immediately.
- A sudden loss of movement, or a feeling that the joint has come out of place.
- After spinal surgery: new numbness or weakness in the legs, or difficulty passing urine or controlling your bowels.
Post-surgical rehabilitation FAQs
How soon after surgery should I start physiotherapy?
Often within the first days or the first week, depending on your surgeon’s instructions. Early, controlled movement usually helps reduce stiffness and swelling.
Is it normal to have pain during exercise?
Moderate discomfort that settles within a few hours is usually acceptable. Pain that is getting worse each day, or comes with increasing swelling, is something you should tell us about.
Can I just do the exercises at home?
Home exercise is essential, but regular reviews with a physiotherapist make sure your programme progresses at the right time and that any problems are picked up early.
When can I drive again?
It depends on the type of operation, which side was operated on and any medication you are taking. This is agreed with your surgeon; we can check whether you have enough movement and strength.
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This page is general information and does not replace a medical examination.