After lower back surgery, it’s important to maintain a consistent physical therapy routine in order to restore strength and stability to the spine. Recovery usually takes between three and six weeks with physical therapy, but the timing will be adjusted to fit your situation. Your physical therapist will consult with your surgeon to develop a treatment plan customized for your specific needs and abilities.

Using a small camera called an arthroscope, a surgeon can examine, diagnose, and treat a variety of conditions inside a patient’s shoulder joint and around their rotator cuff. This outpatient surgical option has reduced scarring, quicker recovery, and fewer risks. Physical therapy ensures healthy surgery recovery and helps to maintain good range of motion.

The rotator cuff is the group of muscles and tendons that keep the shoulder in place. Injuries can result from overuse or traumatic incident, and when left untreated, can cause severe pain and discomfort. Full-thickness tears extend from the top to the bottom of a rotator cuff muscle or tendon, while partial-thickness tears do not extend all the way through. Acute rotator cuff tears occur suddenly, while chronic tears develop over time. Patients with this condition have often experienced shoulder impingement in the past, as well.

Physical therapy differs for acute tears, chronic tears, and post-surgery recovery, and recovery can take a long time, but it is imperative not to reinjure the shoulder while it is healing. The details of your treatment plan will depend on the severity of the injury, the extent of surgical repair, and your general health and activity level.

An ACL tear is an injury common in athletes. According to the American Physical Therapy Association, approximately 200,000 ACL injuries are diagnosed in the United States each year—about 70% of ACL tears in sports are the result of noncontact injuries, and 30% are the result of direct contact (player-to-player or player-to-object). ACL tears are associated with immediate pain and swelling, a “pop” feeling, and/or your knee giving out or collapsing. An MRI may be necessary to confirm diagnosis and rule out other damage. Physical therapy is recommended before and after surgery, focusing on a variety of treatment methods designed to help you successfully return to physical activity.

Using a small camera called an arthroscope, a surgeon can examine, diagnose, and treat a variety of conditions inside a patient’s knee joint. This outpatient surgical option has reduced scarring, quicker surgery recovery, and fewer risks. Physical therapy ensures healthy recovery and helps to maintain good range of motion.

Patients with serious meniscus tears may need to undergo a meniscectomy, where a surgeon will remove the torn cartilage. It is usually a simple procedure, but it can require a few months of recovery with physical therapy. Rehabilitation is very similar to what happens for a nonsurgical meniscal tear.

The knee is the most commonly replaced joint in the body. Surgery is usually performed to repair joint damage, fracture, or alignment problems. Physical therapy can help before and after surgery, allowing you to properly prepare for the surgery and recover efficiently. After surgery, your physical therapy will begin almost right away so that you can learn to accomplish simple movements and begin working toward full mobility and strength. Your body needs to relearn certain motions, which can take time, but consistent physical therapy will help return to doing what you love.

Total hip replacement is common in cases of severe arthritis or hip fracture when other treatment methods have proven ineffective. After a hip replacement surgery, physical therapy helps a patient return to their best quality of life, first helping with a walker or crutches, then helping with increased mobility, always focusing on strength and flexibility. Physical therapy begins almost immediately after surgery, starting with small movements like sitting up in bed. Outpatient physical therapy will include exercises specific to your goals, customized around the activities you participate in.