Pre- and Post-Surgical Rehabilitation

Preparing for surgery and recovering afterward are both important parts of the healing process. Prehabilitation (prehab), physical therapy before surgery, can help you enter your procedure stronger and more prepared, while post-surgical physical therapy supports a smoother, faster recovery. By focusing on mobility, strength, and movement strategies before and after a procedure, physical therapy after surgery can help you safely return to daily activities. 

At MOTION, our physical therapists work with patients before and after many types of procedures, including orthopedic and musculoskeletal surgeries like: 

• Knee surgery - ACL repair, meniscus surgery, and total knee replacement 
• Shoulder surgery - rotator cuff repair, labral repair, and total shoulder replacement 
• Back and spine surgery - spinal fusion, laminectomy, and discectomy  
• Hip surgery - hip replacement, labral tear repair, and intramedullary (IM) nailing  
• Hand and wrist surgery - carpal tunnel release, fracture repair (ORIF), and trigger finger release 
• Ankle and foot surgery - Ankle fracture repair, such as open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), bunion surgery, and Achilles tendon repair 

Your therapist will take the time to understand your upcoming procedure and surgical history, review any precautions provided by your surgeon, and create a personalized plan to support each stage of recovery. Throughout your care, your therapist will maintain open communication with your surgeon to ensure your treatment aligns with your surgical plan and that any changes in your recovery are addressed promptly. 

Prehabilitation: What to Expect Before Surgery

Pre-surgical rehabilitation, often called prehabilitation, helps prepare your body for the demands of surgery and recovery. Your prehab program may include: 

• Strengthening exercises to support the muscles surrounding the surgical area 
• Mobility and flexibility work to maintain joint movement 
• Education on post-surgical precautions and safe movement strategies 
• Training with assistive devices such as crutches or walkers, if needed 
• Guidance on exercises you can safely continue before surgery

Post-Surgical Physical Therapy: What to Expect After Surgery

Following surgery, physical therapy focuses on restoring movement, rebuilding strength, and supporting a safe return to activity. Your post-surgical rehabilitation treatment plan may include: 

• Gentle range-of-motion exercises to reduce stiffness 
• Progressive strengthening to rebuild muscle support 
• Manual therapy to address joint stiffness or soft tissue restrictions 
• Swelling management and strategies to protect healing tissues 
• Functional training for daily activities such as walking, climbing stairs, and getting in and out of chairs

Supporting Recovery Every Step of the Way

Physical therapy after surgery helps guide recovery at a pace that supports healing while gradually increasing activity levels. Your therapist will monitor your progress, adjust your exercises as your strength improves, and help you understand what to expect throughout your plan of care. Whether you're recovering from knee surgery, shoulder repair, back surgery, or another procedure, our goal is to help you recover safely and return to the activities that matter most to you. 

MOTION's trained physical and occupational therapists serve patients across Maryland, Massachusetts, and New York.