The benefits of physiotherapy after orthopaedic surgery

Have you had hip or knee surgery, or are due to have it? While you may have prepared for going for surgery, you may not have thought about your recovery plan.

Undergoing hip or knee surgery is a significant step towards reclaiming your mobility and quality of life.

However, the journey to full recovery doesn't end in the operating room.

Physiotherapy can play a vital role in the rehabilitation process. Structured physio sessions can guide patients through exercises and movements that promote healing, restore function, and prevent future complications.

In this blog post, I'll talk about the importance of physiotherapy post-hip and knee surgery and explain some potential exercises to aid in your recovery journey.

Why is physiotherapy so important post-surgery?

Following hip or knee surgery, it's common for patients to experience stiffness and limited range of motion.

Physiotherapy helps address these issues through targeted stretching exercises and gentle movements, gradually improving flexibility and mobility.

With physio you can see "reduced pain at 3-4 months after your total knee replacement."

Boost your confidence

Having regular physio sessions can give you structure to your rehabilitation and guide you in the process. Having a dedicated physio can give you the motivation, encouragement and determination to succeed.

Our clients have told us that as well as increasing their mobility and boosting their strength, what has been key for them is the confidence that our Physios have given them.

The regular commitment to rehabilitation and guided physio sessions from passionate Physios has given them so much reassurance.

I know that post-surgery, you can feel scared to move, unsure of what your body can do. Having a physio that has "your back" or knee or hip 😂 , can make all the difference.

Build back your strength

Surgery can temporarily weaken the muscles surrounding the hip or knee joint. Our Physiotherapists design personalised exercise programs to strengthen these muscles, enhancing stability and reducing the risk of future injuries.

They're also helping you build a strong structure around your new knee or hip, helping "insure" it for the future.

Our Physios will use a range of Pilates exercises to help give you your strength back so you can use that hip or knee to its full potential.

Pain management

There's going to be a period where you have some pain and discomfort following surgery but this can be managed with physiotherapy too.

Physiotherapy techniques such as manual therapy, massage and reformer Pilates exercises can help alleviate pain and promote tissue healing.

It's important not to shy away from exercise or be frightened of exercising post-surgery.

It will help you manage that pain and discomfort and get you recovering much quicker.

Improve your balance

You're likely to be wobbly post-surgery.

You've probably spent months or years compensating for a dodgy knee or hip and you are likely to have muscle imbalances in your body.

With dedicated physio exercises based on YOUR body, an experienced physio can get you back in balance, improve your stability and reduce the risk of future falls.

Claim your independence

Pre-op you may have been limited in what you can do and what you can achieve.

With post-operative physio, you can achieve your goals a lot quicker, whether that's just being able to climb stairs with confidence to doing your first park run.

How long after hip surgery or a knee replacement can I do physio?

Physio starts almost as soon as you are out of hospital. Within 2-3 weeks after you should be mobile enough to travel to physio sessions.

Find out how All Active Pilates & Physio can get you up and running (literally) after your hip or knee operation.

Worried about getting started? Get in touch for a chat. hello@allactivepilatesandphysio.co.uk