Your Recovery Timeline
Right after surgery: we help you move safely — getting in and out of bed, and using a walker or crutches with confidence.
The first two weeks: focus shifts to bending and straightening the joint, managing swelling, and restoring a normal walking pattern.
Weeks 3 and beyond: your plan progresses to strengthening, balance work, and the specific activities you want to get back to.
Longer term: we build the endurance and confidence to return fully to daily life — not just to “getting by.”
Why Physical Therapy Matters
Research on joint replacement recovery consistently shows physical therapy:
Speeds the return of strength, motion, and balance after surgery
Reduces fall risk during the early recovery period
Improves long-term function — not just pain relief
Helps you return to stairs, walking, and daily activities with confidence
If you worked with us before your surgery, that preparation pays off — patients who complete an exercise program beforehand tend to have better pain and function afterward.
Protecting Your New Joint
A few general guidelines — we'll tailor these to your specific surgery and surgeon's protocol:
Follow your surgeon's movement precautions closely, especially in the first several weeks
Use ice, elevation, and compression as directed to manage swelling
Progress your weight-bearing gradually, exactly as instructed
Keep using your walker or crutches until you're cleared to stop
Bottom line: A new joint is just the beginning. With consistent physical therapy, most people return to walking, stairs, and the activities they've been missing — often stronger and more confident than before surgery.