Why Physiotherapy After Surgery Can't Be Skipped

"The surgery went well, so I'll be fine." It's an understandable thought. But surgery is often only half of the treatment. What happens in the following weeks and months largely decides how well the joint, muscle or limb works for the rest of your life.

What surgery does, and doesn't do

A surgeon can replace a worn joint, repair a torn ligament, fix a broken bone or remove a damaged disc. What surgery can't do:

• Rebuild muscle that has weakened before and after the operation
• Restore full range of movement on its own
• Retrain balance, walking and coordination
• Prevent stiffness, scar tissue and swelling from limiting movement

What happens without rehabilitation

• Stiffness. After knee or shoulder surgery especially, movement that isn't regained in the first weeks becomes much harder to recover later. Sometimes a second procedure is needed.
• Muscle weakness. Muscles shrink quickly when not used. The thigh muscle can lose noticeable strength within days of knee surgery.
• Abnormal walking patterns that put strain on the other hip, knee or back.
• Falls, especially in older adults after hip or knee surgery.
• Lower confidence, leading to avoiding activity.

What post-surgery physiotherapy involves

1. Early mobility: getting out of bed, walking safely, and preventing complications like chest infections and blood clots
2. Pain and swelling management: ice, elevation, positioning and gentle movement
3. Range of movement: restoring how far the joint bends and straightens
4. Strengthening: progressive exercises matched to the healing stage
5. Functional training: stairs, getting in and out of a car, returning to work, sport and hobbies

Respecting the surgeon's protocol

Every operation has rules: how much weight you can put on the leg, how far you can move the shoulder, when you can drive. Your physiotherapist follows these and coordinates with your surgeon, progressing you safely through each phase.

Practical tips

• Book your first physiotherapy session before or right after surgery
• Take pain relief as prescribed so you can exercise
• Do your home exercises daily; the sessions in clinic are only part of the work
• Ask questions about anything you're unsure of

Rehabilitation takes effort. It's also the part of recovery you control.