What is post-operative rehabilitation done with?

A physiotherapist may begin with breathing, circulation, gentle range-of-motion work and safe transfers. As healing permits, the plan can add muscle activation, walking practice, balance drills, stair training and task-specific strengthening. An anti-gravity treadmill can support part of your body weight while you practise walking, which may make movement more manageable when full loading is not yet appropriate. The equipment is an option, not a requirement; the choice depends on the operation, wound, pain, strength and instructions from your surgical team.

Follow the permitted weight-bearing and movement limits, and use walking aids exactly as demonstrated. Complete home exercises at the prescribed frequency without forcing a sharp or worsening pain. Keep follow-up appointments so the team can check movement, swelling, strength and gait, then adjust the load. Rest between sessions, protect the incision as instructed and tell the therapist if a brace, dressing or exercise causes rubbing or unusual symptoms.

Contact your surgical team promptly for increasing redness, warmth, drainage, wound separation, fever, new calf swelling or pain, or a sudden loss of movement. Seek urgent help for chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting, or a cold, pale or blue limb. Rehabilitation discomfort can occur, but symptoms that escalate or do not settle with the agreed measures need clinical review.

Which movements and amount of weight are allowed today? When should I progress from the walker or crutches? Would supported treadmill walking suit my operation, and what symptoms mean I should stop an exercise?