Knee & Hip Replacement Rehabilitation Edmonton

A new joint is the start, not the finish. Structured rehabilitation before and after surgery may help you get the movement and confidence you had the surgery for.

Book An Appointment

Let’s Take the Next Step Together

Knee and Hip Replacement Rehabilitation in Edmonton

Joint replacement rehabilitation is physiotherapy before and after knee or hip replacement surgery. At Next Step Physio & Neurorehab Clinic in Edmonton, we offer pre-operative preparation, staged post-operative rehabilitation and a home exercise program to restore range of motion, strength and walking. In-home physiotherapy is available for the early weeks when travelling to the clinic is difficult.

We follow your surgeon’s protocol and precautions, and we adapt the pace to you. Whether your goal is walking the dog, kneeling in the garden or returning to golf, the plan is built around it.

(587) 855-4559

Pre-hab: preparing for joint replacement

Physiotherapy before surgery, often called pre-hab, is commonly used to enter the operation in the strongest position possible. In the weeks before your date, we focus on:

Strengthening the muscles around the hip and knee, and on the other leg, which will do extra work early on
Keeping as much range of motion as your joint allows
Practising with a walker or crutches, and learning how to get in and out of bed, chairs and the car
Reviewing your home set-up: stairs, bathroom, seat heights and trip hazards
Explaining what the first days after surgery typically look like, so there are fewer surprises

Being prepared often makes the early recovery less daunting.

Post-operative rehabilitation: what the phases look like

Recovery after joint replacement moves through broad phases. Timelines vary with your surgery, health and surgeon’s guidance, so treat these as a guide rather than a rule.

Early phase (first two to six weeks): managing swelling and pain, protecting the wound, restoring knee bend and straightening or safe hip movement, activating the quadriceps and glutes, and walking with a walker or crutches then progressing to a cane. For hip replacement, this is when precautions matter most.

Middle phase (roughly six to twelve weeks): building strength and balance, normalizing your walking pattern, weaning off walking aids, managing stairs and starting low-impact activity such as stationary cycling.

Later phase (three months onward): returning to the activities that matter to you, from longer walks and hiking to swimming, golf or cycling. Strength and endurance keep improving well into the first year.

Throughout, hands-on treatment for stiffness and scar tissue, and regular checks of your progress, keep the program on track.

Book An Appointment

What to expect in joint replacement rehab

Each visit builds on the last.

Surgical review:

We review your procedure, precautions and surgeon's instructions so treatment stays within safe limits.

Baseline measures:

Range of motion, swelling, strength, walking pattern and how you manage stairs and transfers.

Swelling and pain strategies:

Positioning, ice, compression and gentle movement to settle the joint in the early weeks.

Range and strength work:

Progressive exercises for bending, straightening, hip control and the muscles that stabilize the joint.

Walking and balance retraining:

Progressing from walker to cane to independent walking with a smooth, confident pattern.

Home program and progression:

A clear routine to do between visits, updated as you get stronger.

If leaving home is hard in the first weeks, our in-home physiotherapy service can start rehabilitation where you are and transition you to the clinic when ready.

Who may benefit from joint replacement rehabilitation?

Joint replacement physiotherapy is commonly used for:

Total knee replacement:

Restoring bend, straightening and strength after TKR.

Partial knee replacement:

Faster-paced rehab following a unicompartmental replacement.

Total hip replacement:

Safe movement, hip precautions and walking retraining after THR.

Hip resurfacing:

Rehabilitation tailored to the demands of a resurfacing procedure.

Revision surgery:

A more gradual plan after a replacement has been redone.

People waiting for surgery:

Pre-hab to build strength and confidence before the operation.

Slow or stalled recovery:

When stiffness or weakness has persisted months after surgery.

Older adults living alone:

In-home visits and practical safety planning during early recovery.

If you had surgery elsewhere, bring your discharge instructions and we can pick up your rehabilitation.

Book An Appointment

Safety and when to contact your surgeon

Physiotherapy after joint replacement is a routine part of recovery, and your physiotherapist works within your surgeon’s protocol. Contact your surgeon or go to emergency if you notice calf pain, warmth or swelling in one leg; chest pain or shortness of breath; a wound that is red, hot, leaking or opening; a fever; sudden severe pain in the new joint; or a hip that feels like it has shifted or will not bear weight.

Some swelling, warmth and stiffness are normal for weeks after surgery, and mild soreness after exercise is expected. Sharp or steadily worsening pain is not, and we would rather you ask than push through.

Book knee or hip replacement rehab in Edmonton

Physiotherapy for knee and hip replacement recovery is available at Next Step Physio & Neurorehab Clinic in Millwoods (Suite 106A, 7319-29 Avenue NW). No referral is needed. Book online, call the clinic, or ask reception if you already have a treatment plan with us. Bring your extended health details so we can direct-bill many major insurers, and let us know if your visit relates to a motor vehicle accident or WCB claim.

Book An Appointment

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FAQ

Before and after surgery

When should I start physiotherapy after a joint replacement?

Usually within the first one to two weeks after discharge, or as your surgeon directs. Starting early is commonly recommended to protect range of motion.

Is pre-hab worth it?

Many people find that building strength and learning walking aids before surgery makes the first weeks easier. If you have a surgery date, it is worth asking about.

How long is rehabilitation after a knee replacement?

Most people attend physiotherapy for about three months, with improvement continuing for up to a year. Hip replacements often progress a little faster.

Do you offer home visits?

Yes. In-home physiotherapy is available in Edmonton for the early weeks when getting to the clinic is difficult, then we transition you to clinic-based care.

Will you follow my surgeon's protocol?

Yes. Bring your discharge summary and any precautions, and we build the plan around them.

Recovery questions

How much should my knee bend?

Targets vary, but many people aim for around 90 degrees within a few weeks and continue improving from there. Your physiotherapist sets goals based on your surgery and progress.

When can I drive?

That depends on which leg was operated on, your pain and medication, and your surgeon's advice. Many people return to driving between four and six weeks.

Can I kneel after a knee replacement?

Many people can, once healed, though it may feel different. We practise it gradually if it matters to you.

What are hip precautions?

Movement limits some surgeons set after hip replacement, such as avoiding deep bending or crossing the legs, to protect the new joint while tissues heal. We coach you through them.

Is post-surgical physiotherapy covered?

Most extended health plans cover physiotherapy, and we direct-bill many insurers.

Related services at Next Step:

Available at our Millwoods clinic in Edmonton. Book an appointment.