Post-surgical rehab built around your protocol.
Recovery after surgery requires precision, patience, and protocol-driven care. We coordinate directly with your surgeon to give you the structured, evidence-based rehab you need.
Surgery is just step one of recovery.
Surgery is only the beginning. The recovery — the months of careful rehabilitation that follow — is what determines your final outcome. Whether you've had a knee replacement, rotator cuff repair, ACL reconstruction, or spine surgery, post-surgical rehab is where your investment in surgery either pays off or falls short.
At Caring Hands Rehab, we follow your surgeon's specific protocol precisely. We coordinate directly with their office on milestones, restrictions, and progression timelines so your recovery stays on track. And we deliver every session one-on-one in a private room — never on an open gym floor with a tech.
Most patients begin therapy within days or weeks of surgery. We'll work with your surgeon to time everything correctly and get you started as soon as it's safe.
Surgical recoveries we manage.
We have extensive experience with the most common orthopedic and post-surgical recoveries.
Joint replacement
- Total knee replacement
- Total hip replacement
- Shoulder replacement
- Ankle replacement
- Partial joint replacement
Ligament & tendon
- ACL reconstruction
- Rotator cuff repair
- Achilles repair
- Meniscus repair
- Labral repair
Spine & back
- Lumbar fusion
- Discectomy
- Cervical fusion
- Laminectomy
- Spinal stenosis surgery
Other surgeries
- Hand & wrist surgeries
- Foot reconstruction
- Mastectomy recovery
- Hysterectomy recovery
- Open heart surgery
Protocol-driven, patient-centered.
We follow your surgeon's plan to the letter — and give you the one-on-one attention to actually carry it out.
Surgeon-protocol adherence
Every post-surgical protocol has specific phases, restrictions, and progression criteria. We follow them precisely.
Scar & swelling management
Hands-on techniques to manage swelling, prevent adhesions, and improve scar mobility in early recovery.
Progressive loading
Carefully graduated strengthening that respects healing timelines — the right exercises at the right time.
Patient education
Understanding your restrictions, your timeline, and what to do at home prevents setbacks and accelerates recovery.
From the hospital to back to life.
Most post-surgical recoveries follow a clear phased progression.
Acute phase (Weeks 0–2)
Pain and swelling control, protected motion, basic functional tasks. Your therapist may visit you while you're still using assistive devices.
Subacute phase (Weeks 2–6)
Restoring full passive range of motion, beginning gentle strengthening, walking re-education, and removing restrictions as appropriate.
Strengthening (Weeks 6–12)
Active loading of the surgical site and surrounding muscles. Building back the strength and stability needed for normal life.
Advanced functional (Months 3–6)
Sport-specific or work-specific training, single-leg work, plyometrics if appropriate, and high-level functional tasks.
Return to full life
Final clearance criteria met, discharge planning, and an ongoing home program to maintain your gains.
Why surgeons recommend Caring Hands.
The post-op care your surgeon hopes you'll receive.
Coordinated with your surgeon
We communicate directly with your surgical team — phone calls, faxed updates, protocol clarification when needed.
Same therapist, every visit
Your therapist tracks your specific protocol, your specific milestones, and adjusts based on your unique recovery.
Private treatment rooms
No open gym floor, no shared equipment, no waiting for the tech. Your full session, in private, every time.
Medicare & most insurance
Post-surgical PT is covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most commercial plans. We verify benefits before your first visit.
Frequently asked questions.
When should I start post-surgical rehab?
It depends on your surgery, but most patients begin PT within days to weeks after their procedure. Some surgeries (like total joint replacement) require therapy starting in the hospital, while others (like rotator cuff repair) have a brief immobilization period first. Your surgeon will tell you when to start.
How long does post-surgical rehab take?
Total knee replacement: typically 6–12 weeks of formal PT. Rotator cuff repair: 4–6 months. ACL reconstruction: 6–9 months. Spinal fusion: 6+ months. Your therapist will give you a realistic timeline based on your specific procedure and protocol.
Do you follow my surgeon's protocol?
Yes, absolutely. We follow your surgeon's specific post-op protocol precisely. If we have any questions about progression or restrictions, we contact their office directly. This coordination is critical to a good outcome.
What if I need PT before surgery (prehab)?
We strongly recommend prehabilitation when possible. Patients who go into surgery stronger and with better mobility recover faster. Even 4–6 sessions before surgery can make a meaningful difference.
Is post-surgical PT covered by insurance?
In virtually all cases, yes. Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurance plans cover post-surgical physical therapy when prescribed by your surgeon or when medically necessary. We verify your specific benefits before your first visit.
How often will I need to come in?
Most post-surgical patients are seen 2–3 times per week for the first phase of recovery, then taper down to 1–2 visits per week as you progress. Home exercises are essential between visits.