Pre and post surgical rehabilitation
Preparing for orthopaedic surgery or recovering afterward can bring a lot of questions: What can I do safely? How will I manage at home? When can I return to work, walking or the activities I enjoy? Our team can help you make a rehabilitation plan that reflects your procedure, your medical guidance and your goals.
Where to start:
A physiotherapist is a good first contact and can be the “quarterback” for your outpatient rehabilitation—helping assess your needs, guide your exercises and coordinate other rehabilitation support with your consent. Your surgeon and medical team remain responsible for surgical and medical decisions. Follow their instructions, including any activity or weight-bearing restrictions.
Support before surgery: prehabilitation
Prehabilitation, sometimes called “prehab,” is rehabilitation before an operation. Depending on your situation and the time available, it can be a chance to prepare for the activities you will need to manage afterward.
Your physiotherapist can discuss your current movement, strength, balance, symptoms and plans for home. Together, you may work on suitable exercises, practice using a walking aid if needed, discuss everyday tasks and prepare questions for your surgical team. Prehab is individualized; it cannot guarantee a particular surgical outcome.
Support after surgery: rehabilitation
Recovery looks different for each person and procedure. We may work with people after surgeries such as hip or knee replacement, tendon or ligament reconstruction, or hand & wrist surgery, depending on the practitioner and their scope.
Your physiotherapist will consider your operation, your surgeon’s instructions, your symptoms and your goals. Your plan might include:
Early movement and daily activities: Guidance on appropriate movement, walking or managing everyday tasks within your surgical instructions.
Progressive rehabilitation: Exercises to work toward strength, balance, mobility and function as your recovery allows.
A return to meaningful activities: A gradual plan for work, hobbies, exercise or sport, in collaboration with your surgical team where appropriate.
Ongoing adjustments: Review how you are responding and adapt your plan as your needs change.
Bring your surgical instructions and any relevant information to your appointment. If you are unsure when to begin rehabilitation, ask your surgical team or contact us before booking.
How our team can support you
Your physiotherapist can help you decide whether involving another practitioner would be useful. Depending on your surgery, stage of recovery, restrictions and practitioner availability, support may include:
Hand therapy: Rehabilitation for appropriate hand and wrist conditions or procedures, including support with function and exercises or custom splinting.
Kinesiology or athletic therapy: Progressive exercise and a return to activities when appropriate for your procedure and recovery stage. With expert eyes they can guide you through getting strong and back to your favourite activities.
Clinical Pilates: Supported movement, mobility and strengthening when suitable for your goals and surgical guidance. If you are looking for more gentle appraoch to start strengthening pre- or post- operative, pilates can be a great place to start with a variety of equipment to help keep movement pain free.
Massage therapy, chiropractic or osteopathy: Optional hands-on support when clinically appropriate. Hands-on treatment can help support swelling, scar tissue management and pre- post-operative pain. This does not replace active rehabilitation, and any treatment must account for healing tissues and restrictions.
Your surgeon, family doctor and hospital team: Medical follow-up, wound concerns, medication and decisions about your operation. With your permission, we can share relevant rehabilitation information.
Your care may involve one practitioner or several. The right team and pace are based on your needs—not a preset package.
When should I seek urgent medical care?
Follow the emergency and contact instructions provided by your surgical team. Seek urgent medical assessment for new or worsening calf pain or swelling, or a hot, increasingly painful wound, especially with drainage, fever or feeling unwell. Call 911 immediately for sudden chest pain, difficulty breathing or coughing up blood. In BC, 8-1-1 can provide non-emergency health advice.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to start rehabilitation before surgery?
Not everyone does. But pre-surgical assessment may help you prepare for better outcomes, but the best timing depends on your needs.
When should I book after surgery?
Follow your surgeon’s or hospital team’s instructions, because timing varies by procedure. If you are not sure contact us and we can help find the best time for your first appointment.
Can you work with my surgeon’s protocol?
Yes. Bring the instructions you have received. We will use them to guide rehabilitation and, with your consent, coordinate with your medical team when needed. Don’t have any? That is okay, come in and we can support your post-surgical rehabilitation with current evidence-based protocols and by reaching out to your surgical team as needed.
Take the next step
Whether surgery is upcoming or you are already recovering, we can help you identify a suitable next step.
Book a physiotherapy assessment | Contact our team
Fort Street: 1107–1109 Fort Street, Victoria, BC · 250-381-2239
Quadra Street: 3520 Quadra Street, Saanich, BC · 250-384-2412
This page provides general information and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice or your surgical team’s instructions.
Meet the Physiotherapy Team