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Hip and knee
Physical therapy for joint replacement recovery in Shirley, MA
The short answer
A knee or hip replacement swaps a worn out, arthritic joint for a new one, and the rehab afterward is what turns a new joint into a strong, comfortable leg. Stiffness, swelling and weak muscles are normal early on and improve with steady work. Most people get back to walking, stairs and the activities they love, and many feel better than they have in years.
On this page
What recovery usually looks like
Most people who get a new knee or hip have lived with arthritis pain for a long time. Surgery fixes the joint. Rehab rebuilds everything around it.
- Swelling and soreness
- Normal in the first weeks and months. It settles as you move more and get stronger.
- Stiffness
- Especially after a knee replacement. Getting the knee to bend and straighten fully early on makes a big difference later.
- Weak muscles
- Years of limping and guarding leave the thigh, hip and calf muscles weak. Rebuilding them is the key to walking without a limp.
- Balance and confidence
- Many people feel unsteady or nervous on stairs and uneven ground at first. Practice brings the confidence back.
- Getting stronger before surgery
- Building strength and learning your exercises before the operation often makes the first weeks after it easier.
When to call your surgeon
Follow your surgeon's instructions and call them if the incision gets more red, warm or starts draining, if you have a fever, if pain or swelling keeps getting worse instead of better, or if your motion stops improving. Go to the emergency room right away if you have chest pain or sudden shortness of breath, and call your doctor the same day for calf pain, warmth or swelling in the leg, since these can be signs of a blood clot. After a hip replacement, get help right away if the hip suddenly feels out of place, the leg looks shorter or turned, or you cannot put weight on it.
What you can do at home right now
These are safe starting points for most people. They are not a replacement for a proper evaluation.
- Do your exercises every day
- Small amounts spread through the day keep the joint moving and the muscles working. Follow your surgeon's precautions.
- Walk little and often
- Short walks around the house every hour or two beat one long walk. Use your walker or cane until you are cleared to stop.
- Manage swelling
- Ice and raising the leg above your heart after activity help keep swelling down so the joint moves better.
How we help after joint replacement at Whole Health Solutions
Your physical therapist is with you for the whole appointment, start to finish. We work with your surgeon's plan, follow your precautions, and build a recovery around your life and your goals.
01
Relieve
Hands on care, swelling control and gentle motion work so the new joint calms down and starts moving well.
02
Rebuild
Strength for the thigh, hip and calf, plus balance and walking practice so you can drop the walker or cane and walk without a limp.
03
Perform
Back to stairs, gardening, golf, hiking, travel and playing with the grandkids. When you are ready, our personal trainers help you keep getting stronger.
04
Thrive
Stay with the team that knows you. Check ins, training and a quick tune up whenever something new comes up, so this stays in the past.
Thrive is not a finish line. When life brings something new, the loop starts again with the same team.
Common exercises for joint replacement recovery
These are a few of the exercises our team often uses for joint replacement recovery. Tap one to watch.
Please read first. These are not right for everyone. If a move brings on sharp pain, numbness or tingling, stop and talk to one of our physical therapists before you keep going.
Learn from our team
Short, free videos from our clinicians on questions we hear about joint replacement recovery all the time.
Talk to a physical therapist
A free call to tell us what is going on and see if we are the right fit.
Common questions about joint replacement recovery
How long does it take to recover from a knee replacement?
Most people are walking comfortably within the first couple of months, but strength and motion can keep improving for up to a year. Doing your exercises consistently makes the biggest difference.
Is physical therapy painful after a knee or hip replacement?
Some soreness is normal, especially when working on knee bend. Your physical therapist adjusts the work so it is challenging but manageable, and you should never feel pushed past what is safe.
Should I do physical therapy before joint replacement surgery?
It often helps. Getting stronger and learning your exercises before surgery tends to make the first weeks after it easier.
Do I need a referral for joint replacement recovery?
No. You can book directly with us. Most of our clients do use their insurance for reimbursement of our physical therapy services. We go over everything in the discovery meeting.
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Everyone is different, so the best next step is an evaluation with one of our physical therapists.
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Serving 22+ nearby towns and beyond
2 Shaker Road, Suite C200, Shirley, MA 01464. Monday to Thursday, 5:00 am to 8:00 pm, Friday, 5:00 am to 3:00 pm, and Saturday, 6:00 am to 1:00 pm.