How soon after surgery should I start physiotherapy?

Most surgeons recommend starting physiotherapy within the first 1 to 2 weeks post-operation. Early mobilization is associated with better long-term range of motion and lower complication risk. Always follow your surgical team protocol.

Do you follow surgeon specific protocols?

Yes. We request your surgical report and protocol on intake and align our rehab phases with your surgeon directives. We will communicate with your surgical team when needed.

How long does post-surgical rehab typically take?

It depends on the surgery, but most orthopaedic recoveries take 6 to 12 weeks to reach functional independence and 6 to 12 months to reach full return to recreational activity.

Is post-surgical physio covered by extended health?

Yes. Most extended health plans cover physiotherapy. We direct bill most major insurers. Coverage limits depend on your specific plan.

What surgeries do you commonly rehabilitate?

Knee replacement, hip replacement, ACL reconstruction, meniscus repair, rotator cuff repair, shoulder stabilization, and other orthopaedic procedures.

Post-surgical rehab

Post-Surgical Physiotherapy in Vancouver.

Outpatient rehab is often where the real recovery happens—once you're home, moving more, and trying to return to work and daily life.

Motion Theory provides post-surgical physiotherapy near VGH with a simple promise: your rehab will be staged, measurable, and aligned with your surgeon's precautions.

Canada's joint replacement volumes are large and increasing, which means there are many patients transitioning into community rehab each week. Physiotherapy after total knee and hip arthroplasty is associated with improved outcomes and shorter length of stay in Canadian physiotherapy value resources.

Who this is for

This page is for people recovering from surgeries such as:

Hip replacement and knee replacement
Rotator cuff repair and other shoulder surgeries
Meniscus/arthroscopy procedures
Spine procedures (with surgeon clearance)

What we do in post-surgical rehab

A post-op plan is not "one phase." It's a series:

Early Phase

Protect healing tissue, control swelling, restore safe movement.

Middle Phase

Rebuild strength, restore walking/stair tolerance, normalize daily tasks.

Late Phase

Build capacity for work demands and sport/training when relevant.

We set milestones that make sense for your life (walking distance, stair tolerance, sleep tolerance, safe lifting thresholds), and we adjust based on your symptom response.

Coordination with your surgeon

If you bring a written protocol or discharge instructions, we follow them. If you don't, we still progress safely using procedure-typical precautions and can request clarification (with your consent).

Clinic Location & Access

Located at 1367 West Broadway in Vancouver, Motion Theory is situated in the Fairview medical corridor, in close proximity to Vancouver General Hospital (VGH). We serve patients from Kitsilano, Mount Pleasant, and the broader Metro Vancouver area.

TransitNear Broadway/City Hall Station

AccessibilityWheelchair accessible clinic

Common Questions

When should I start physio after surgery?

Start timing depends on the procedure and your surgeon's guidance.

Do you follow my surgeon's protocol?

Yes.

How many sessions do I need?

It depends on surgery type, baseline, and goals. We outline a staged plan after the assessment.

What are red flags?

Fever, wound changes, calf pain, shortness of breath, or sudden severe worsening requires urgent medical assessment.

Can you help me return to work?

Yes—return-to-work planning is built into post-surgical rehab.

Registered Clinicians

All practitioners are registered with their respective provincial colleges in British Columbia.

Evidence-Based

Treatment protocols are grounded in current peer-reviewed literature and clinical guidelines.

Direct Billing

Available for ICBC claims and most major extended health benefit providers.