How Does Post-Operative Rehab Work?
Feb 12, 2025
Healing after surgery takes more than just lying in bed. You need to work on your recovery actively with post-operative rehabilitation, or rehab. While you need rest immediately after surgery, starting your rehab exercises promptly helps you regain your strength and movement.
Whether you've undergone orthopedic surgery, a joint replacement, or another type of procedure, rehab is pivotal in how effectively you heal and return to your normal activities.
Our experienced team at Repair Recover Restore in White Plains and Port Chester, New York, can help you get better. Let’s break down what you can expect during your recovery journey.
Recovery after surgery takes work and planning. Your rehab program includes physical therapy exercises and massage therapy that help control pain, get you moving again, and make the operated area work better. Following your rehab plan enables you to heal properly and return to your normal activities fully and as quickly as possible.
Your rehab starts soon after surgery and might last a few weeks or several months, based on your surgery type and how quickly you heal. We tailor your plan to your specific needs, focusing on getting your strength and movement back while helping you feel better overall.
Early rehab focuses on gentle movement and range of motion, while later stages concentrate on strengthening and functional training.
The timing of post-operative rehab depends on the type of surgery you had, and your specific needs. Often, rehab begins as soon as the day after surgery. In some instances — such as joint replacements or knee surgeries — rehab is initiated almost immediately after the procedure to prevent complications like blood clots, stiffness, or weakness.
For other types of surgery, particularly those requiring more extensive healing (like spinal surgeries or major orthopedic repairs), rehab may start after a short period of rest. Usually, this begins within a few days to a week after the procedure.
Initially, rehab might focus on pain management and gentle movements before gradually progressing to more intense exercises as your body heals.
Post-operative rehab can vary widely depending on the type of surgery you had, but the goal is always the same: to help you recover as fully and as safely as possible.
The first step in recovery is managing pain and reducing swelling. Ice therapy, heat therapy, and gentle exercises are often used to ease discomfort. Electrical stimulation or other pain control methods may also be included in your treatment plan.
When your pain and swelling are under control, your rehab plan focus shifts to restoring your movement. Gentle exercises help improve joint flexibility and prevent stiffness. For instance, you may start with gently bending and straightening your knee carefully after knee surgery.
Strengthening exercises become a priority as healing progresses. These exercises target muscles weakened during recovery to restore their function. For example, you might begin with resistance bands before progressing to weights after shoulder surgery.
Rehabilitation also includes exercises that mimic real-life movements to prepare you for daily tasks. Activities like walking, climbing stairs, or bending are introduced to improve your ability to resume normal life. Balance training is a critical part of this stage for those recovering from lower-body surgery.
The length of post-operative rehab varies from person to person, depending on factors like the type of surgery, your overall health, and your body’s response to treatment.
For minor procedures, rehab may only take a few weeks, while for more complex surgeries — such as joint replacements or extensive spinal procedures — the recovery process may last several months.
Post-operative rehab plays a critical role in speeding up the recovery process. It helps you heal faster and reduces the risk of long-term complications like chronic pain, stiffness, or weakness.
Rehab accelerates healing by improving strength, mobility, and flexibility, and it helps your body adjust to standard movement patterns. Following your post-operative rehab program also reduces the chances of complications that could arise otherwise, such as joint contractures or muscle imbalances.
It’s not just about returning to where you were before surgery — rehabilitation helps you improve your overall function and quality of life. To learn more, schedule a visit at your nearest Repair Recover Restore office in White Plains or Port Chester, New York, today.