General advice on prehabilitation, rehabilitation, and a map to help you find a practice near you
Physiotherapy is a core part of orthopaedic care and looking after your joints, tendons and muscles. Most symptoms can be improved, and in some cases cured, with physio, thereby avoiding surgery.
Even if surgery is indicated, Mr Wilson will always recommend physio in the weeks leading up to the operation to ensure you are in the best possible place to recover after your hip procedure, whether that's hip arthroscopy, hip replacement, or revision surgery.
Surgery addresses the underlying problem in the joint. However, the muscles and soft tissues around the hip, which are often deconditioned after months or years of pain and altered movement, need structured rehabilitation so that you regain strength, flexibility and confidence. Patients who follow a consistent physiotherapy programme generally recover more quickly and more fully than those who don't, and they will, ultimately, have a better outcome.
Mr Wilson will advise on timing specific to your procedure, but in general, gentle movement and walking (with crutches where needed) begins immediately after surgery, guided by the hospital physiotherapy team before you go home. Formal outpatient physiotherapy typically starts once the initial wound healing is underway, usually within the first couple of weeks, and continues over the following weeks and months as your programme progresses from mobility and swelling control through to strengthening and, where relevant, sport-specific rehabilitation.
A typical programme includes exercises to restore range of movement, gradually build strength in the muscles around the hip and core, and improve balance and gait. Your physiotherapist will tailor the pace and content to your surgery, your starting fitness, and your goals — whether that's returning to gardening and daily life or getting back to competitive sport.
Look for a chartered physiotherapist (registered with the Health and Care Professions Council) who has experience with post-surgical hip rehabilitation. Many patients choose a practice close to home to make regular sessions easier to keep up. If you're not sure where to start, the map below lists practices across the South West. Alternatively, get in touch and we can point you in the right direction.
You can pan and zoom on the map and click a marker for details. This list is added to over time — if you know a practice that should be included, let us know.
