Procedures we rehabilitate
- ACL and meniscus reconstruction
- Total knee and hip replacement
- Rotator cuff and shoulder stabilisation
- Spine surgery, including discectomy and fusion
- Fracture fixation and removal of hardware
- Ankle and foot reconstruction
How a post-operative program is built
The surgeon controls what the repair can tolerate in the early weeks. The physiotherapist turns that into daily movement, strength and function. The two need to agree, so bring your operation note and protocol to the first session.
- 1Protect the repair: swelling, range limits and weight-bearing rules.
- 2Restore movement within the allowed range.
- 3Rebuild strength in the order the tissue can accept load.
- 4Retrain function: walking, stairs, sitting, lifting, driving.
- 5Return to work, gym or sport against objective criteria.
Why starting early helps
Early rehabilitation reduces stiffness and muscle loss and lowers the risk of complications such as knee extension lag or shoulder stiffness. It does not mean aggressive exercise. It means the right movement, at the right dose, from the first safe week.
About this guidance
This page is general information about physiotherapy for this problem, not a diagnosis. An assessment is the only way to know what is driving your symptoms and what treatment suits you.
Reviewed by Dr. Sneha Ramchandani, PT, BPTh, MIAP, Founder and physiotherapist at Muscle Lab, Andheri East.
Questions people ask
When should rehabilitation start after surgery?
Usually within days, following the surgeon instructions. Some procedures start with breathing and circulation exercises, others with protected range of motion. Do not wait for the pain to disappear before starting.
Do I need a referral from my surgeon?
A referral helps us follow the exact protocol, but you can book directly and bring your operation details. We will contact the surgeon if anything in the protocol is unclear.
How long will rehabilitation take?
It depends on the procedure. Knee replacement often needs six to twelve weeks of structured work, ACL reconstruction nine to twelve months for sport, and spine surgery varies with the procedure and the person.