Post-Surgery Physio at Home: What to Expect and Why It Matters

Surgery fixes a structural problem. Physiotherapy determines how well you actually recover from it. Whether you've had a knee replacement, ACL reconstruction, rotator cuff repair, or spinal surgery, the quality and consistency of your post-operative rehabilitation is the single biggest modifiable factor in your outcome.

Why post-op physio matters more than people realise

After surgery, the body responds with inflammation, muscle inhibition, and protective movement patterns. Left unaddressed, these lead to prolonged weakness, stiffness, and compensatory patterns that can cause secondary problems years later. Physiotherapy systematically works through each stage of recovery, from early swelling control to late-stage strength and function, ensuring you progress at the right pace, not too slow and not too fast.

Why home visits matter more in the Eastern Suburbs than most places

A lot of post-op rehab advice assumes a flat driveway and an easy park outside the clinic. That's not the reality for a lot of Seth's Eastern Suburbs patients. A patient recovering from a hip replacement in a Bondi walk-up with no lift is dealing with a genuine hazard - stairs are one of the highest-risk tasks in the first two weeks, and getting to a car to travel to a clinic often means attempting that same stair descent before rehab has even started. In Paddington and Woollahra, terrace houses with narrow internal stairs and steep front steps create a similar problem. A home visit means the first two to three sessions - the ones focused on safe transfers, stair technique with crutches or a frame, and swelling management - happen in the exact environment the patient has to manage every day, not a flat clinic floor that doesn't resemble it.

A typical recovery arc: total knee replacement

To make this concrete: a typical total knee replacement patient is seen at home on day 5–7 post-discharge, once wound review has cleared. Week 1–2 focuses on swelling control, achieving 90 degrees of flexion, and safe mobility around the home including stairs. Week 3–6 shifts to closed-chain strengthening and normalising gait pattern, usually without a walking aid by week 4–5 for most patients. From week 6 onward, sessions taper to fortnightly and focus on higher-level strength and return to the activities that matter to the patient - walking the Bondi to Bronte coastal path is a common goal Seth works towards with patients in this area. Total sessions for a straightforward knee replacement typically run 10–14 visits over roughly three months.

Common post-operative conditions we treat

• Knee replacement (total and partial): from week 1 through full return to activity
• ACL reconstruction: 9–12 month progressive rehabilitation program - see our full ACL rehab timeline
• Rotator cuff repair: staged return of shoulder mobility and strength
• Hip replacement: early mobilisation, gait retraining, and strength rebuild
• Lumbar spinal surgery: decompression, fusion, and disc surgery rehabilitation
• Shoulder labrum repair: progressive return to overhead function

What the first appointment involves

The first post-operative visit typically occurs within the first week of discharge from hospital. Seth will review your surgical notes, assess your wound, range of motion, swelling, and current function, and begin a graded exercise program appropriate to your stage of recovery. He'll also liaise with your surgeon if needed and provide written guidelines for your home program between visits.

FAQs

Do I need any equipment at home before the first visit?

Not usually. Seth brings resistance bands, a goniometer for measuring range of motion, and any assessment tools needed. For joint replacements, having a raised toilet seat and a shower chair organised before discharge is worth doing, but it's not required before the first physio visit.

Does private health or Medicare cover home visit physio?

Most private health extras policies cover physiotherapy home visits the same way they cover clinic visits - check your fund for any home-visit-specific loading. Medicare rebates apply if you're on an Enhanced Primary Care plan from your GP, which is common for patients recently discharged from major surgery.

How many sessions will I need?

This varies significantly by procedure and individual. Minor arthroscopic surgeries may require 4–6 sessions over a few weeks. Major reconstructions like ACL or joint replacement typically involve 10–15+ sessions over 3–9 months. Seth will give you a realistic timeline and clear milestones at your first appointment so you know what to expect throughout the process.