Post-Surgery Physiotherapy

Statistics show that 85% of Burnaby residents undergoing major surgery will benefit from structured rehabilitation, yet many wait too long to begin treatment. Post-surgical rehabilitation becomes essential when you're experiencing limited range of motion, muscle weakness, persistent swelling, or difficulty performing daily activities following your procedure.

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You should consider immediate surgical rehab if you've undergone orthopedic surgery like knee replacement, hip replacement, or ligament repairs. Cardiac surgery patients benefit from breathing exercise and gradual activity progression. Abdominal surgery recovery improves with core stabilization and postural correction techniques.

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Local factors in greater Vancouver, such as our active outdoor lifestyle and aging population demographics, make early intervention crucial. Many residents return to hiking, cycling, and skiing—activities requiring full functional recovery that's best achieved through structured post-surgical rehab.

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The ideal timeframe varies by surgery type: knee replacement typically begins within 24-48 hours, while soft tissue repairs may require 3-5 days before starting movement protocols.

The science behind surgery physiotherapy centers on controlled movement that stimulates blood flow, prevents scar tissue formation, and maintains joint mobility without disrupting healing tissues. Our three-phase recovery system follows research-backed protocols proven to optimize surgical outcomes.

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Phase 1 (Days 1-14) focuses on pain management, swelling reduction, and basic movement restoration. Gentle range of motion exercise prevent stiffness while respecting surgical restrictions. Expected milestones include independent mobility and basic self-care activities.

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Phase 2 (Weeks 2-6) emphasizes strength rebuilding and functional movement patterns. Progressive resistance exercise target weakened muscles while manual therapy addresses scar tissue. Patients typically regain 70-80% of normal strength during this phase.

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Phase 3 (Weeks 6-12) advances to activity-specific training and return to full function. Sport-specific movements, work task simulation, and advanced strength training prepare patients for complete activity resumption.

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Throughout treatment, we monitor healing markers, adjust exercise intensity, and coordinate with your surgical team to ensure safe progression. Modern techniques like dry needling, manual therapy, and therapeutic ultrasound accelerate tissue repair while patients learn self-management strategies for long-term post-surgery recovery.