One of the most common uses of rehabilitation is after orthopedic surgery. Rehabilitation depends on a collaborative treatment plan with input from your surgeon, nursing staff, physiatrist (physical medicine and rehabilitation physician) and your therapy team. The length and frequency of your therapy services will depend on several factors, including the severity of your original condition or injury, the type and extent of surgery, your age, general health and your level of cooperation.

Sometimes physical rehabilitation and therapy can begin painfully, as the injured area has been weakened not only by the original injury, but also because of the lack of use and the surgery itself. The pain can cause you to hold back.

However, with targeted flexibility and strength-building exercises as well as range of motion exercises, the injured site will begin to get stronger and pain will be reduced significantly. Your therapist will observe where the weakest parts of your body are and what rehabilitation treatments are necessary to rebuild strength. The aim of the rehabilitation services is to provide you with enough range of movement and strength to be able to complete tasks independently.