AFTER SURGERY @ SALVEO
Rehabilitation after surgery needs phases, criteria and communication.
The programme respects the procedure, the surgeon’s instructions and functional goals, with documented progression.
When to seek urgent assessment
PATHOLOGIES AND CLINICAL PRESENTATIONS
What symptoms can occur after surgery?
These are the main clinical concerns, not a self-diagnosis list. Similar symptoms may have different sources and imaging findings do not always explain pain.
Knee
After anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction+
Rehabilitation respects the graft, any additional procedures and surgeon instructions, progressing from swelling control to running and sport using criteria.
- Early pain and swelling
- Restricted knee extension or flexion
- Quadriceps weakness and difficulty with gait, stairs or single-leg control
After meniscal repair+
Following meniscal suturing, loading and flexion may be restricted according to tear type and location; the surgical protocol takes priority.
- Joint-line pain and swelling
- Temporary restriction of movement and loading
- Weakness and difficulty with squatting or turning
After partial meniscectomy+
After removal of damaged meniscal tissue, recovery usually progresses according to swelling, movement, strength and load response.
- Swelling and pain after arthroscopy
- Temporary quadriceps weakness
- Pain with squatting, stairs or sporting activity
After total or unicompartmental knee replacement+
Rehabilitation aims to restore functional movement, strength, gait and independence after replacement of part or all of the joint surface.
- Postoperative pain and swelling
- Restricted flexion or extension
- Weakness, slower gait and difficulty with stairs or rising from a chair
After patellar stabilisation or MPFL reconstruction+
Rehabilitation balances protection of repaired structures with gradual restoration of movement and strength.
- Anterior or medial knee pain and swelling
- Restricted flexion in early phases
- Quadriceps weakness and difficulty on stairs
After knee cartilage surgery or osteotomy+
Cartilage procedures and osteotomies have procedure-specific loading restrictions to protect biological healing and bony correction.
- Pain and swelling after loading
- Temporary weight-bearing restriction
- Weakness and reduced tolerance for walking, squatting or sport
Hip and pelvis
After total hip replacement+
Rehabilitation restores gait, strength and function while respecting the surgical approach, dislocation precautions and individual guidance.
- Hip or thigh pain and swelling
- Hip-muscle weakness and limping
- Difficulty rising, using stairs, dressing or walking longer distances
After hip arthroscopy and labral repair+
Rehabilitation after treatment of the labrum, FAI or cartilage controls loading, movement and strength according to the procedure.
- Groin pain and restricted hip flexion
- Difficulty walking and temporary crutch use
- Weakness and pain with prolonged sitting or rotation
After proximal femur fracture fixation+
Following fixation of a femoral-neck or trochanteric fracture, loading depends on stability, bone quality and surgical guidance.
- Limb pain and weakness
- Difficulty rising and walking
- Reduced balance and functional tolerance
After pelvic or acetabular surgery+
Rehabilitation after pelvic-ring or acetabular fixation requires individual loading restrictions and coordinated progression with the surgeon.
- Pelvic, groin or low-back pain
- Restricted walking and transfers
- Hip and trunk weakness after immobilisation
Shoulder
After rotator-cuff repair+
The repaired tendon is protected early; passive movement, active movement and strength are introduced according to tear size and surgical guidance.
- Pain and disturbed sleep in early phases
- Restricted arm elevation and rotation
- Weakness with lifting or overhead work
After shoulder stabilisation and labral repair+
Rehabilitation after Bankart, SLAP or other stabilisation temporarily limits positions that stress the repair and gradually restores control.
- Postoperative pain and stiffness
- Apprehension in selected positions
- Weakness and reduced control during throwing or lifting
After anatomical or reverse shoulder replacement+
The programme differs by implant type and muscle integrity, aiming to restore arm function, movement and independence.
- Shoulder pain and swelling
- Restricted movement and arm use
- Weakness during dressing, hygiene or lifting objects
After humerus or clavicle fracture fixation+
Following bony fixation, movement and strength progress according to stability, radiological healing and involved structures.
- Pain and swelling after trauma and surgery
- Shoulder or elbow stiffness
- Weakness and difficulty using the arm
Elbow, wrist and hand
After elbow, forearm or wrist fracture fixation+
Rehabilitation aims to prevent stiffness and restore forearm rotation, wrist motion and grip without compromising bone healing.
- Local pain and swelling
- Restricted elbow, forearm rotation or wrist movement
- Weak grip and difficulty with hand tasks
After distal biceps or triceps tendon repair+
Repair requires protection from early tension and controlled progression of movement and strength according to tendon healing.
- Elbow pain and swelling
- Weakness in flexion/supination or extension
- Temporary restriction of lifting and pushing
After carpal or cubital tunnel decompression+
Wound care, movement, sensation and gradual return of grip are managed after nerve release; nerve recovery may take time.
- Pain and tenderness around the wound
- Numbness or tingling that may persist temporarily
- Weak grip or fine-motor control
After hand tendon, ligament or nerve repair+
Splinting and progression depend on the repaired structure; excessive early motion or loading may threaten the repair.
- Finger pain, swelling and stiffness
- Restricted active flexion or extension
- Sensory change and weak grip
Ankle and foot
After Achilles tendon repair+
Rehabilitation progresses from protection in a boot and plantarflexion to gait, heel raises, running and jumping using criteria.
- Pain and swelling behind the ankle
- Restricted dorsiflexion and calf weakness
- Difficulty with push-off, fast walking or stairs
After ankle fracture or Lisfranc fixation+
Loading and movement depend on fixation stability and healing; the midfoot and syndesmosis may require longer protection.
- Ankle or foot pain and swelling
- Restricted loading and dorsiflexion
- Reduced calf strength and balance, with difficulty walking
After ankle ligament reconstruction+
Repair or reconstruction of the lateral ligaments or syndesmosis is protected early, followed by movement, strength, balance and direction change.
- Ankle pain and swelling
- Stiffness and lack of confidence during loading
- Weak stabilising muscles and single-leg control
After hallux valgus or forefoot surgery+
After bony or soft-tissue correction, loading and toe movement progress according to the procedure and healing.
- Forefoot pain and swelling
- Great-toe or lesser-toe stiffness
- Difficulty with push-off and footwear
After ankle fusion or replacement+
After joint fusion or replacement, rehabilitation focuses on healing, gait, strength and adaptation of neighbouring segments.
- Postoperative pain and swelling
- Procedure-specific movement or loading restriction
- Altered gait and calf weakness
Spine
After lumbar discectomy or decompression+
Rehabilitation after nerve-root decompression restores walking, movement and work capacity while monitoring neurological symptoms.
- Wound pain and low-back stiffness
- Residual leg nerve symptoms that may improve gradually
- Weakness and reduced tolerance for sitting, walking or lifting
After lumbar fusion+
Following fusion of vertebral segments, progression respects bone healing and surgeon restrictions before heavy loading.
- Postoperative pain and stiffness
- Temporary restriction of bending and lifting
- Reduced strength and tolerance for walking or work
After cervical-spine surgery+
After cervical decompression or fusion, the wound, swallowing, neurological function and gradual return of neck and arm use are monitored.
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Temporary swallowing difficulty after an anterior approach
- Residual arm numbness or weakness requiring monitoring
Complications and warning signs
Surgical-site or prosthetic-joint infection+
A superficial or deep infection after surgery requires prompt medical assessment and is not managed with physiotherapy alone.
- Redness, warmth, discharge or wound opening
- Fever, chills or systemic illness
- Pain and swelling increasing instead of improving
Deep-vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism+
A postoperative clot in a deep vein may travel to the lungs. Suspected DVT or pulmonary embolism requires emergency assessment.
- New one-sided calf or thigh swelling, pain or warmth
- Sudden breathlessness or chest pain
- Rapid heartbeat, dizziness or coughing blood
Postoperative stiffness and arthrofibrosis+
Excessive fibrous tissue and movement restriction beyond the expected course, particularly after knee or shoulder surgery.
- Movement remaining markedly limited or worsening
- Pain and a firm block at end range
- Functional difficulty despite rehabilitation progress
Postoperative neurovascular injury+
Nerve or circulation irritation or injury after a procedure, swelling or immobilisation; progressive deficit requires urgent assessment.
- New or progressive numbness or weakness
- A cold, pale limb or weak pulse
- Severe pain with tense swelling
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)+
Disproportionate pain with sensory, vasomotor and motor changes after surgery or trauma, requiring early multidisciplinary recognition and care.
- Burning pain or marked touch sensitivity
- Temperature, colour, sweating or swelling change
- Stiffness, weakness and very limited limb use
Prosthetic dislocation or fixation failure+
Implant displacement, breakage/loosening or loss of fixation after surgery requires orthopaedic assessment and imaging.
- Sudden pain, deformity or limb shortening
- Immediate inability to bear weight or use the segment
- New clicking, instability or deterioration after a fall
Descriptions are for orientation. Diagnosis follows history, clinical examination and, only when indicated, imaging or laboratory tests.
ASSESSMENT
What do we examine?
Tests are selected according to history, symptoms and goals rather than a fixed package.
- Surgical documentation and restrictions
- Pain, swelling and wound status
- Movement, strength and function
- Criteria for the next phase
REHABILITATION PATHWAY
The procedure, restrictions and pre-operative status define the framework.
Symptoms and function are managed within surgical limits.
Capacity progresses according to healing and response.
Walking, stair use, work and sports skills are reintroduced according to defined criteria.
Reassessment and communication with the surgeon guide important decisions.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Before assessment.
General guidance for this concern; individual decisions follow examination.
When should physiotherapy begin?
Timing depends on the procedure and surgeon guidance; the plan should begin with clear restrictions.
Should I bring the operative report?
Yes. The report, imaging and instructions support coordination and safe dosage.
How often is progress reassessed?
At the points where restrictions, loading or functional goals change.
When can I return to sport?
When healing, function, testing and sport demands meet the defined criteria.
PHYSIOTHERAPY
Clinical cases
Assessment, treatment and follow-up from individual rehabilitation cases.
0 cases
No cases have been published in this category yet.
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