Physio After Knee & Hip Replacement

Recovery after a knee or hip replacement can feel confusing. You leave the hospital with a surgeon’s instructions, a list of exercises, and a lot of questions. A physiotherapist helps you move from “I got through the surgery” to walking, climbing stairs, and getting back to the activities you enjoy.

What’s normal after joint replacement

Pain, swelling, stiffness, and bruising are common in the early weeks. Everyone’s experience is different: one person may say the surgery was easier than expected, while another finds recovery very hard. Both are normal. Understanding what was done during your surgery often makes the symptoms easier to understand, and your physiotherapist will explain it in plain language.

When does physiotherapy start?

Timing depends on the type of surgery and your surgeon’s instructions, and many people begin outpatient physiotherapy within the first few weeks. We always follow your surgeon’s recommendations, which should be part of your post-operative package from the hospital. If you’re not sure when to begin, call us and we’ll help you work it out.

What your first visits look like

Early rehab focuses on gently restoring range of motion and waking up the muscles around the joint. Your first visit includes an assessment of how the joint is moving, your pain and swelling, your walking, and your goals. You’ll leave with a plan and a home exercise program.

As you heal, we progress your program step by step, building strength, balance, and confidence so you can return to your normal routine.

Why home exercises matter

The time between appointments is when much of the recovery happens. Your home program uses similar movements to the ones we practise in the clinic, and doing them regularly is one of the biggest things you can do to help your recovery.

Manitoba’s funded physiotherapy sessions: who qualifies

Manitoba Health funds physiotherapy sessions for eligible patients after elective hip or knee replacement surgery. The program covers up to six individual sessions or ten group sessions, and it is intended for patients who don’t have private insurance or who have used up their benefits. A referral isn’t required, though your hospital physiotherapist may provide one.

We handle the billing for eligible patients so you can focus on recovering. Program details can change, so we’ll confirm your eligibility when you call.

Recovering from a shoulder replacement? The provincial program above is for hip and knee surgery, but many extended health plans cover physiotherapy, and we’re happy to help you check your benefits.

Learn more about our joint replacement rehabilitation services.