Surgeries we rehabilitate
- Total knee replacement and partial knee replacement
- Hip replacement
- ACL reconstruction and meniscus repair
- Shoulder surgery, including rotator cuff repair and stabilisation
- Spine surgery, such as discectomy and decompression (after your surgeon clears you)
- Fracture fixation of the wrist, ankle, leg or shoulder
Working with your surgeon
Every operation comes with precautions: how much weight you can put through the leg, how far a joint may move, and when to start strengthening. Please bring your discharge summary and any protocol or instructions from your surgeon to your first visit.
We follow those instructions closely, and contact your surgeon if anything in your recovery needs their attention, such as unusual swelling, wound concerns or progress that is slower than expected.
What recovery usually looks like
Early weeks: managing pain and swelling, gentle movement to restore range, walking with or without an aid, and protecting the repair.
Middle phase: building strength and balance, returning to stairs, sitting and standing, driving and work as cleared by your surgeon.
Later phase: higher-level strength and fitness, and a return to sport or demanding activity where that is the goal.
Your role between sessions
Progress after surgery depends heavily on the exercises done at home, often daily. We keep the home programme short, clear and specific, and update it as you progress so you always know what to do.
How many sessions will I need?
It varies by surgery. Physiotherapy after a knee replacement commonly continues for about 6 to 12 weeks; after ACL reconstruction it usually runs for 9 to 12 months, with sessions becoming less frequent over time.
When to see a doctor first
Please see a doctor or go to an emergency department, rather than booking physiotherapy, if you have:
- Increasing redness, heat, discharge from the wound, or fever
- Calf pain, swelling or tenderness, especially in one leg
- Sudden breathlessness or chest pain (seek emergency care)
- A sudden increase in pain, a popping sensation, or a joint that suddenly gives way
- New numbness or weakness in the operated limb
Frequently asked questions
When should I start physiotherapy after surgery?
Most people start within days to two weeks, depending on the operation and your surgeon’s instructions. Rehab often begins in hospital and continues at the clinic once you are home.
What should I bring to my first post-surgery physiotherapy visit?
Your discharge summary, operation notes if available, any rehab protocol from your surgeon, your list of medicines, and loose clothing that lets us see the operated area.
How long does it take to walk normally after a knee replacement?
Many people walk without an aid within about 3 to 6 weeks, and most daily activities feel easier by around 3 months, although improvement often continues for up to a year.
Is it normal to have pain during post-surgery rehab?
Some discomfort during exercises is expected, especially early on, and should settle within a few hours. Sharp, increasing or lasting pain should be reported so we can adjust your programme.
Can physiotherapy start before surgery?
Yes. For planned knee, hip and ACL surgery, exercises before the operation can help you recover faster afterwards. Ask your surgeon and book an assessment.