Where is the Physiotherapy Support After Orthopaedic Surgery?
If you’ve recently had orthopaedic surgery—whether it’s a knee replacement, shoulder repair, or spinal operation—you might be wondering: Where is the physiotherapy support I was expecting? You’re not alone. Many patients come out of surgery ready to start their recovery journey, only to find the support on offer is limited, delayed, or in some cases, nonexistent.
A Growing Gap in NHS Rehabilitation Services
In recent years, NHS physiotherapy services have been under increasing pressure. With rising demand, staff shortages, and limited funding, post-operative rehab support has taken a hit. While hospitals still provide immediate post-op care and a short burst of inpatient physiotherapy, the longer-term rehab often falls short.
Patients are frequently discharged with a basic exercise sheet and told to wait for a community physio appointment—appointments that can take weeks or even months to come through. In some areas, patients are no longer routinely referred to physio at all, and must request it themselves or navigate an unfamiliar system to access the help they need.
This drop-off in care is especially problematic after orthopaedic surgery, where structured rehabilitation is absolutely essential. Without proper guidance, patients may struggle to regain strength, mobility, and confidence—potentially limiting their recovery or increasing the risk of complications.
How We Can Help You Recover After Surgery
At Principle Physiotherapy, we understand how crucial rehab is after orthopaedic surgery—and we’re here to bridge that gap.
We offer tailored physiotherapy support designed specifically for post-operative recovery. Whether you’ve had surgery on your knee, hip, shoulder, back or elsewhere, we can work with you to create a plan that restores movement, builds strength, and gets you back to doing the things you love.
Here’s how we support you:
• One-to-one assessments with experienced musculoskeletal physiotherapists
• Custom rehab programmes based on your surgery and goals
• Hands-on therapy to help improve movement and reduce pain
• Guided strength and mobility training in our private rehab studio
• Ongoing support and progression tracking to keep you on track
We also offer Home Visits if prefer to begin your recovery from the comfort of your own home.
Whether you’re just out of surgery or you’ve been discharged and feel left to figure it out on your own—we’re here to help you recover fully and safely.
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Ready to Get Started?
If you’ve had surgery and feel like you’ve been left without support, get in touch with us at Principle Physiotherapy. Let’s get your rehab moving in the right direction.
