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Physical Therapy before and after surgery
Physical Therapy can be part of getting ready for an operation and part of recovering afterwards. Your surgical team's instructions come first at every stage.
Pre-surgical Physical Therapy
Some people see a physical therapist before a planned operation. For example:
- Before a knee replacement, a visit can cover exercises and practice with a cane, walker or crutches.
- Before a hip replacement, a visit can cover exercises to do beforehand and practice with crutches or a walker.
- Before an ACL operation, some surgeons refer people for a short course of Physical Therapy to help decrease swelling, increase how far the knee moves and strengthen the thigh muscles.
An evaluation may consider
- The operation you are planning and what your surgeon has told you.
- How you move and manage daily tasks now.
- What you want to be able to do after your recovery.
Post-surgical rehabilitation
Rehabilitation is care that can help you get back, keep or improve abilities you need for daily life. Major surgery is one of the reasons people need it.
When Physical Therapy starts after an operation, and what it includes, depends on the operation and on your surgeon's instructions.
An evaluation may consider
- Your operation and the instructions your surgeon gave you.
- Any limits on movement or weight-bearing you have been given.
- How you are moving, walking and managing at home now.
- What you would like to be able to do again.
Before your visit, it can help to bring your surgeon's instructions and to note what you would like to be able to do again.
Your surgical team's instructions come first
Questions about the operation itself, and instructions about safe movement and care at home, belong with your surgeon. Any Physical Therapy plan follows those instructions.
Read next
Operations with their own page
Treatment approaches
Patient information and clinics
When to contact your surgeon first
See the full safety checklist
- Contact your surgeon or another medical professional promptly about any concern after your operation.
- Ask your surgeon which signs to watch for after your operation.
- In a medical emergency, call 911.
Other situations
Two clinics, one way to ask
Call either clinic, or send an appointment request.
Edison
East Windsor
How a request works
- Open and send your emailShare your name, email, cell phone, your preferred clinic and when you are generally free. The form opens a draft in your own email app. Review it and send it from your mail app yourself; the website does not send it. Please leave out symptoms, diagnoses and insurance details.
- We contact youWe will contact you by the next business day, by phone, text or email, whichever you prefer.
- The clinic confirms itYour appointment is confirmed only after the clinic responds and agrees a time with you.
Submitting a request does not confirm an appointment. Your appointment is confirmed only after the clinic responds.