When should physio start after surgery?

The surgeon sets the timing

The safest answer to when physiotherapy starts is the one your surgeon gives. Different operations heal differently, and the surgeon knows what the tissue can take.

For many operations, gentle movement begins very early, sometimes the same day, still in hospital. For others, a period of protected rest comes first.

We always work within the timing and precautions your surgeon has set. If we are unsure, we ask you to check with them before we begin.

Why early movement often helps

Lying still for too long causes problems of its own. Joints stiffen, muscles weaken quickly, and the risk of complications rises.

Gentle, guided movement early on keeps the rest of the body working while the surgical area heals. It is not about pushing hard, but about not letting everything seize up.

A physiotherapist knows the difference between safe early movement and doing too much. That balance is the whole point of good timing.

Starting physiotherapy at home

Once you are discharged, home physiotherapy can pick up where the hospital left off. We start with an assessment of how you move and what feels safe.

From there we set a small number of goals and work within the surgeon’s limits. The caregiver is shown what to help with between visits.

Starting at home suits people who find the trip to a clinic hard so soon after surgery.

When to wait and see a doctor

Sometimes the right first step is not physiotherapy at all. If the wound is red, hot or leaking, or you have a fever, see a doctor before starting.

Go to hospital urgently if a calf becomes hot, swollen and painful, or if you feel short of breath or chest pain. These can be signs of a clot.

We would rather you check early. We can help you decide the safe next step before anything begins.

What the first visit looks like

The first visit is an assessment, not a hard workout. We want to understand where you are before we ask anything of the body.

We check how you move, what feels safe, and what your surgeon has advised. Then we agree a small number of goals with you.

You leave the first visit knowing the plan and the next step, and nothing is pushed before you are ready.