Physiotherapy is an integral part of a patient’s postoperative care. These programs are a guide to the normal recovery pathways following different types of surgery. Everyone recovers differently and therefore can progress quicker or slower than the guidelines suggest. Ben Jeffcote, along with your Physiotherapist, will expertly guide you through this process on an individual basis.
Each of the listed Rehab Programs have a timeline with goals to achieve within that time frame and any specific orders for that time period. The initial Home Exercise Program (HEP) is also available as a PDF download. You should seek Physiotherapy guidance to progress this program from 2 weeks onwards.
The ultimate objective following surgery is being able to return to your goals, whether that be sport, leisure activities or specific hobbies.
If you have any queries regarding the below programs or your personal postoperative rehabilitation please contact our office.
Total Hip Replacement Expand
- 0-2 weeks
Goals: Control pain and swelling. ROM (range of motion) 0 – 90 degrees hip flexion. Increase weight bearing to wean off crutches. Quadriceps and gluteal activation.
Orders: Weight bearing as tolerated. Off crutches by 2 weeks.
- 2-6 weeks
Goals: ROM 0 – 120 hip flexion. Begin Abduction/Adduction and Intern/External Rotation. Full weight bearing with a normal gait. Begin Exercise bike when 90 degrees hip flexion achieved. Hydrotherapy.
Orders: Specialist review at 2 weeks.
- 6-12 weeks
Goals: FROM in all directions. Build strength around hip and knee. Build walking/cycling endurance to 30 minutes. Return to normal ADL’s.
Orders: Specialist review at 6- weeks. Resume light work duties and driving.
- 12 weeks+
Goals: Return to pre-surgery activities and beyond.
Orders: Resume full work duties.
Download your postoperative home exercise guide here
Gluteal Tendon Repair Expand
- 0 – 2 weeks.
Goals: Protect repair. Control pain and swelling. Begin Ankle and Knee ROM, and muscle activation exercises as per your Home Exercise Program (HEP).
Orders: Partial weightbearing 20% only with 2 x elbow crutches.
- 2 – 6 weeks.
Goals: Weaning to 1 x elbow crutch in the opposite hand and gradually increase weight bearing as tolerated from 20% to 100% bodyweight by 6 weeks. Begin Hip ROM and general muscle activation.
Orders: Specialist review at 2 weeks. Begin Physiotherapy.
- 6 – 12 weeks.
Goals: Full weight bearing and wean off crutches. Progress ROM and begin targeted activation of repaired muscle and tendon, including weight bearing exercises. Begin lift walking/cycling. Return to normal ADL’s.
Orders: Review with Specialist at 6-8 weeks. Resume light work and driving if able.
- 12 weeks+
Goals: Build walking and cycling endurance. Begin a targeted return to sport/work/leisure program. Return to normal work and pre-surgery activities.
Orders: Resume full work duties.
Download your postoperative home exercise guide here
Total Knee Replacement Expand
- 0-2 weeks
Goals: Control pain and swelling. ROM (range of motion) 0 – 60 degrees. Increase weight bearing to wean off crutches. Quadriceps activation.
Orders: Weight bearing as tolerated. Off crutches by 2 weeks.
- 2-6 weeks
Goals: ROM 0 – 120. Full weight bearing. Normal gait. Begin Exercise bike when 90 degrees flexion achieved. Hydrotherapy.
Orders: Specialist review at 2 weeks, and Remedial pathway available if indicated.
- 6-12 weeks
Goals: FROM. Build strength around knee. Build walking/cycling endurance to 30 minutes. Return to normal ADL’s.
Orders: Resume light work duties and driving.
- 12 weeks+
Goals: Return to pre-surgery activities and beyond.
Orders: Resume full work duties.
Download your postoperative home exercise guide here
ACL & MPFL Reconstruction Expand
- 0-2 weeks
Goals: Protect ligament reconstruction. Control pain and swelling. Begin gentle ROM, weight bearing and muscle activation exercises as per your Home Exercise Program (HEP).
Orders: Wearing Splint whenever weight bearing as tolerated using 2 x Elbow crutches. Allowed out of splint to complete home exercise program 3- 5 times a day. Begin Physiotherapy.
- 2-6 weeks
Goals: Progress HEP with the aim to restore full ROM. Wean off crutches and return to a normal gait pattern. Increase to Full weight bearing. Exercise Bike work when 90 degrees knee flexion achieved. Begin Hydrotherapy. Return to light duties.
Orders: Specialist review at 2 weeks. Wean out of splint.
- 6-12 weeks
Goals: Progress strength, proprioceptive and functional exercises. Return to normal function and Activities of Daily Living.
Orders: Specialist review at 6-8 weeks.
- 3-6 months
Goals: Gradually return to sport/leisure specific activities. Resume straight line jogging. Begin specific dynamic loading aimed towards a return to sport/activity.
Orders: No contact sport until 9-12 months. You should complete a return to sport assessment performed by your Physiotherapist.
- 9 months+
Goals: Return to sport and all activities.
Download your postoperative home exercise guide here
Meniscal Repair Expand
- 0-2 weeks
Goals: Protect repair. Control pain and swelling. Come out of splint to do HEP 3-5 times a day. Begin range of motion (ROM) exercises 0 – 60 degrees flexion. Quadriceps activation exercises. Use 2 x EC’s while weight bearing 20% bodyweight (roughly 15Kg) through operated leg.
Orders: Begin Physiotherapy and Home exercise program. Must wear Hinged Knee Brace (HKB) locked at 0 degrees for the first 2 weeks while weight bearing.
- 2-6 weeks
Goals: Increase ROM 0 – 90 degrees (HKB altered). Gradually increase weight bearing from 20% to 100%. Wean off crutches as tolerated. Begin exercise bike when 90 degrees achieved. Begin Hydrotherapy.
Orders: Specialist review at 2 weeks. HKB ROM changed to allow 0 – 90 degrees. Out of brace at 6 weeks.
- 6-12 weeks
Goals: Achieve FROM. Return to normal ADL’s. Return to work.
Orders: Specialist review 6-8 weeks. No deep flexion (120+) for first 12 weeks. No Heavy work, ladders, confined space work etc.
- 12 weeks+
Goals: Return to sport/leisure activities.
Download your postoperative home exercise guide here
Arthroscopy Expand
- 0-2 weeks
Goals: Control pain and swelling. Begin range of motion (ROM) exercises 0 – 90+ degrees. Quadriceps activation exercises. Full weight bearing as tolerated. Wean off crutches (if required) and return to normal gait pattern.
Orders: Begin Physiotherapy and Home exercise program
- 2-4 weeks
Goals: Full ROM 0 -130 degrees. Return to light work. Begin biking when 90 degrees achieved. Walking and swimming.
Orders: Specialist review at 2 weeks.
- 4-6 weeks
Goals: Return to full work activities. Gradually return to sport/leisure.
Download your postoperative home exercise guide here
Ankle Ligament Reconstruction & Stabilisation Expand
- 0 – 2 weeks.
Goals: Protect reconstruction. Control pain and swelling. Gentle AROM (Dfn/Pfn only). Wean off crutches at 2 weeks.
Orders: Wearing CAM boot 23 hours per day. Partial weightbearing 20% only with 2 x elbow crutches.
- 2 – 6 weeks.
Goals: Increase ROM include inversion and eversion. Calf activation with resistance. Maintain Knee and Hip ROM + Muscles. Gradually increase weight bearing as tolerated in CAM walker from 20% to 100% bodyweight by 6 weeks.
Orders: Specialist review at 2 weeks
- 6 – 12 weeks.
Goals: Full weight bearing. Progress ROM ex’s and begin targeted strengthening and proprioceptive program. Build walking/cycling endurance. Return to normal ADL’s and light work.
Orders: Review with specialist at 6-8 weeks. Remove Cam boot. Resume driving if able.
- 12 weeks+
Goals: Begin a targeted return to sport/work/leisure program. Return to normal work and pre-surgery activities.
Orders: Resume full work duties.