• Post surgery physio in newmarket ontario

Hip and Knee Replacement Rehab

Hip and Knee Replacement Physiotherapy in Newmarket

A new hip or knee is only half of the recovery. The other half is the work you do afterwards to bend, straighten, strengthen and trust that joint again, and physiotherapy plays a big part in it. At FIT Physiotherapy in Newmarket, you work one-on-one with the same physiotherapist from your first visit to your last, following a plan that matches your surgeon’s instructions and your own goals.

Joint replacement is now one of the most common surgeries in the country. More than 117,000 hip and knee replacements were performed in Canada in 2021–2022, according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information. More of them are now done as day surgery, which means many people go home within hours and do most of their rehabilitation as outpatients.

One-on-one rehab before and after your hip or knee replacement.

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Physiotherapy Before Surgery

If your surgery is booked, it can help to start before the operation. Pre-surgery physiotherapy (sometimes called prehab) focuses on:

  • strengthening the muscles around the joint and your other leg
  • practising walking with crutches or a walker before you need them
  • learning the exercises you will do in the first days at home
  • planning your home set-up, such as chair height and stairs

People who go into surgery stronger and better prepared often find the first weeks at home easier.

Post operative physio in newmarket

What Recovery Usually Looks Like

Every recovery is different, and your surgeon’s protocol sets the pace. As a general guide, rehabilitation moves through these stages:

Stage Typical timing Main focus
Early recovery First 2 weeks home Managing swelling and pain, gentle range of motion, safe walking with an aid, getting in and out of bed and chairs
Building movement About weeks 2 to 6 Bending and straightening the joint further, walking more smoothly, reducing reliance on the walker or cane
Building strength About weeks 6 to 12 Strength and balance work, stairs, longer walks, returning to daily routines and driving when cleared
Getting back to life 3 months and beyond Confidence for hobbies and activity, such as golf, gardening, cycling or travel

Timelines vary with age, general health, the type of surgery and how the joint was before the operation. Your physiotherapist will reassess you regularly and adjust the plan as you go.

Manual Therapy Physiotherapy

How We Help at Each Stage

  • Range of motion: guided exercises and gentle hands-on techniques to help the joint bend and straighten.
  • Strength: progressive exercises in our on-site training facility, supervised so you know you are doing them safely.
  • Walking and balance: retraining how you walk, weaning off walking aids at the right time, and practising stairs.
  • Swelling and comfort: advice on ice, elevation and pacing, plus drug-free options to keep you comfortable during exercise.
  • Your home program: a short, clear set of exercises that changes as you improve.

We follow the precautions your surgeon gives you. Hip precautions, for example, depend on how the surgery was done, so we will ask about them at your first visit.

Other Surgeries We Help With

We also provide post-operative physiotherapy after other surgeries, including:

  • other orthopaedic surgery, including surgery to repair fractures
  • neurosurgery
  • spinal surgery
  • cancer and thoracic surgery

Athletes recovering from surgery can also see our sports rehabilitation page, and older adults can read about our physiotherapy for seniors.

What to Look for in a Post-Op Physiotherapist

  • One-on-one time with a registered physiotherapist, not a room shared with several patients
  • The same physiotherapist throughout your recovery, so nothing gets lost between visits
  • Space and equipment for supervised strengthening, not only treatment on a table
  • Clear milestones, so you know what you are working towards at each stage
  • Convenient access, especially in the early weeks when you cannot drive

At FIT, sessions are one-on-one, you see the same physiotherapist every visit, and there is free parking right at the clinic on Charles Street in Newmarket.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most people start outpatient physiotherapy within the first one to two weeks after going home, depending on their surgeon’s instructions. If you are not sure when to start, call us and we can help you check.

No. Physiotherapy is direct access in Ontario. Some insurance plans ask for a referral before they reimburse, so it is worth checking your policy.

We direct bill most extended health insurance plans. FIT does not offer OHIP-funded physiotherapy. Ontario does fund physiotherapy at Community Physiotherapy Clinics for some people after a hospital stay or day surgery, and you can check eligibility with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario.

Yes. At FIT you see the same physiotherapist from your first assessment through your recovery, so the person treating you knows your surgery, your surgeon’s precautions and how you are progressing.

No. All treatment takes place at our clinic at 20 Charles Street in Newmarket, which has lots of free parking. If you are not yet able to travel after surgery, ask your surgeon or hospital team about home care options, then start with us once you can get to the clinic.

It depends on the surgery, your starting point and your goals. Most joint replacement patients attend regularly for several weeks, then less often as they become more independent. We will give you a clear plan after your first assessment.

Let us know when you book. In the early weeks, many people find it helpful to have someone there who can learn the home exercises too.

Book Your Post-Op Assessment

Whether your surgery is coming up or you have just come home, we can help you plan your recovery. Call 905-235-5360 or book online. FIT Physiotherapy is at 20 Charles Street in Newmarket, serving patients from across York Region.

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