Post-Operative Rehabilitation
Post-operative rehabilitation across our six central London clinics — structured, surgeon-aligned physiotherapy that takes you from the early protective phase back to full strength and function after orthopaedic and soft-tissue surgery.
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The short answer
What this treatment is
Areas treated
What's included
- Surgeon-aligned rehabilitation — we follow your consultant’s protocol and the tissue-healing timeline
- Criteria-based progression: you advance a phase when you meet the milestones, not just when time passes
- Delivered by HCPC-registered, CSP-member physiotherapists with post-surgical experience
- Covers knee and hip replacement, ACL reconstruction, rotator-cuff and Achilles repair, and fracture recovery
- Six central London clinics with early-morning and evening slots to fit rehab around work
- A written, progressive home programme — the consistency between sessions is what drives recovery
Boundaries of practice
What's not treated
Good practice means saying no when indicated:
- Signs of post-operative infection (spreading redness, heat, discharge, fever) — contact your surgical team or seek urgent medical care, not physiotherapy
- Suspected DVT or PE after surgery (calf pain/swelling, breathlessness, chest pain) — a medical emergency requiring immediate assessment
- Progression beyond the ranges or weight-bearing limits set by your surgeon without their clearance
- A wound that has not healed or sutures still in place over the area to be loaded, without surgical sign-off
- New neurological symptoms or uncontrolled pain that has not been reviewed by the operating team
Patient journey
What to expect
Consultation & preparation
Bring your operation notes or discharge summary, any rehabilitation protocol from your surgeon, relevant scan reports, and your insurer authorisation if applicable. Wear loose clothing that allows the operated area to be examined and moved. Note any current weight-bearing or range-of-motion restrictions you have been given.
During treatment
Aftercare
You leave with a written summary, your current phase and its goals, and a home exercise programme to do between sessions. Mild post-exercise soreness can be normal; sharp pain, marked swelling, or signs of infection should be reported to your surgical team. We reassess against your milestones at each visit and progress the plan accordingly.
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FAQ
Common
questions
When should I start physiotherapy after surgery?
It depends on the procedure and your surgeon’s protocol — some operations start guided rehabilitation within days, others have a protective period first. Many surgical teams plan outpatient physiotherapy from the early weeks. Bring your operation notes and any rehab protocol to your first appointment, and we will set a safe, appropriately timed plan with you.
Do you work with my surgeon’s protocol?
Yes. Post-operative rehabilitation should respect the surgical repair and the tissue-healing timeline, so we work to the protocol your consultant has set and the ranges and weight-bearing limits it specifies. If you do not have a written protocol, we use established phased guidance for your procedure and liaise with your surgical team where needed.
How long does rehabilitation take after an operation?
Recovery timelines vary by procedure: a knee or hip replacement is often months of progressive rehab, and ACL reconstruction is typically a staged programme over roughly nine to twelve months before a return to pivoting sport. We set realistic milestones for your operation at the first visit and progress you against them, not against the calendar alone.
Will my insurer cover post-operative physiotherapy?
Often yes. Most major UK insurers — Bupa, AXA Health, Vitality, Aviva, Cigna, Nuffield Health, WPA — cover post-surgical physiotherapy under an MSK treatment plan, usually with prior authorisation. Obtain authorisation before booking and bring your membership and claim details. We can also issue receipts for self-funded patients claiming back.
What should I bring to my first post-operative appointment?
Bring your operation notes or discharge summary, any rehabilitation protocol from your surgeon, relevant scan reports, a list of current medications, and your insurer details if applicable. Wear loose clothing that lets us examine and move the operated area. Allow 60 minutes for a thorough first assessment.
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Soho Physiotherapy • 111 Charing Cross Road, London WC2H 0DT
BookAppointments typically available within 1–2 weeks