Recovering from surgery? Discover how physiotherapy and rehabilitation in Chichester can help you rebuild strength, restore mobility and regain confidence. Home visits and clinic appointments available.
Surgery is often an important step towards getting your mobility and quality of life back. But what happens after you leave hospital?
Whether you’ve had a hip replacement, knee replacement, ACL reconstruction or another orthopaedic procedure, the weeks and months following surgery are an opportunity to rebuild your strength, restore movement and regain confidence.
At Chichester Physio, Lindy Griffiths and her experienced team of physiotherapists and rehabilitation therapists help patients make the most of their recovery. We offer individual rehabilitation at our clinics in Bosham, Goodwood and the Witterings, as well as physiotherapy in your own home when travelling to a clinic is difficult.
Our focus is on helping you get back to the things that matter to you — whether that’s walking the dog, gardening, returning to golf, enjoying a holiday or simply being able to play with and look after your grandchildren.
Why is physiotherapy important after surgery?
A successful operation can be the beginning of a positive change, particularly if pain or restricted movement has been affecting your everyday life.
After surgery, it’s normal for muscles to feel weaker and for movement to be more difficult than usual. Depending on the procedure, there may also be swelling, stiffness and a period of reduced activity.
Physiotherapy and rehabilitation can help you gradually regain strength, mobility and confidence as your body recovers.
Your programme should reflect the operation you’ve had, your surgeon’s instructions, your current abilities and what you’re hoping to achieve.
For some people, the priority is walking comfortably and confidently around the house. Others want to return to work, sport, gardening, cycling or more demanding physical activities.
Good rehabilitation is about working towards your individual goals, at a pace that’s appropriate for you.
Preparing for surgery: the benefits of prehabilitation
Did you know that rehabilitation can begin before your operation?
This is often called prehabilitation, or simply prehab.
If you’re waiting for a hip replacement, knee replacement or another planned orthopaedic procedure, improving your strength and general fitness beforehand may help you prepare for the physical demands of recovery.
Prehabilitation might involve exercises to strengthen the muscles surrounding the affected joint, maintain movement, improve balance and practise everyday activities that could be more challenging immediately after surgery.
It can also be an opportunity to understand what your post-operative rehabilitation is likely to involve.
At Chichester Physio, we offer individual prehabilitation programmes at our Bosham and Goodwood clinics.
Our physiotherapists will assess your current abilities and develop an appropriate programme, taking account of your condition and any guidance from your surgical team.
Being better prepared before surgery can give you confidence and help you approach your recovery with realistic, achievable goals.
Physiotherapy after hip replacement surgery
Hip replacement surgery can make a tremendous difference to people whose everyday activities have been restricted by hip problems.
Following your operation, rehabilitation focuses on gradually restoring comfortable movement, improving strength and helping you return to normal activities.
Early priorities may include getting in and out of a chair, walking safely with an appropriate aid, managing stairs and becoming more independent around your home.
As you progress, exercises can become more challenging, focusing on strengthening the muscles around your hip, improving balance and increasing walking distances.
Your physiotherapist will work within any movement or activity restrictions given by your surgical team.
The eventual goal might be getting back to country walks, gardening, playing golf, travelling or simply enjoying everyday life without the limitations you experienced before surgery.
Physiotherapy after knee replacement surgery
Knee replacement surgery is another procedure where structured rehabilitation can play an important role in recovery.
After your operation, the knee may initially feel swollen, stiff and weak. Your rehabilitation programme will help you work towards improving movement and rebuilding the strength needed for everyday activities.
Treatment may include exercises to improve knee bending and straightening, strengthen your thigh muscles, practise walking and develop confidence with stairs.
As your mobility improves, your physiotherapist can introduce exercises that reflect your personal goals.
For example, someone hoping to return to gardening may need to work towards different movements from someone planning to resume long walks or recreational sport.
Recovery takes time, and progress varies between individuals. Having an experienced physiotherapist guide your rehabilitation can help you understand what to work on and how to progress appropriately.
ACL reconstruction rehabilitation
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is commonly associated with sporting injuries, although ACL injuries can affect people of different ages and activity levels.
Rehabilitation after ACL surgery is particularly important because returning to activities that involve running, jumping, turning or changing direction requires more than simply regaining movement in the knee.
Depending on your stage of recovery, rehabilitation may involve restoring knee movement, rebuilding quadriceps and hamstring strength, improving balance and control, and gradually progressing towards more demanding activities.
For patients hoping to return to sport, rehabilitation is usually a longer-term process involving progressive strengthening and functional testing.
ACL rehabilitation can begin at home, particularly during the early stages when travelling may be inconvenient.
As your strength and mobility improve, you may choose to continue your rehabilitation at one of our clinics, where more advanced exercises can be introduced when appropriate.
Your programme will always take account of the procedure performed and your surgeon’s rehabilitation protocol.
What if you’ve been discharged from an NHS hospital with exercises to do?
Many patients leave hospital following a successful operation with an exercise sheet and instructions about their recovery.
These exercises are an important starting point, but some people would appreciate more individual guidance once they’re back at home.
You might be unsure whether you’re performing an exercise correctly, how much activity is appropriate or when you should begin progressing to more challenging movements.
Alternatively, you may be waiting for an NHS outpatient physiotherapy appointment and want additional support in the meantime.
At Chichester Physio, we can provide private physiotherapy and rehabilitation following NHS or privately funded surgery.
Our physiotherapists can review your discharge information, assess your mobility and help you follow and progress your rehabilitation programme in accordance with your surgical team’s guidance.
You do not need a GP referral to book an appointment with us.
Physiotherapy at home after surgery
Immediately after an operation, getting to a physiotherapy clinic may not be practical.
You might be unable to drive, relying on a walking frame or crutches, or finding longer journeys uncomfortable.
That’s where our Home Visit Physiotherapy service can help.
One of our experienced physiotherapists can visit you at home, assess your mobility and develop a rehabilitation programme suited to your recovery.
There are advantages to working with you in your own surroundings. We can practise the movements that matter in everyday life, such as getting out of your favourite armchair, walking around your home, using the stairs or moving safely between rooms.
Your physiotherapist can also help you understand and practise the exercises you’ve been given following your operation.
Home visits are available around Chichester, Bosham, Goodwood, East and West Wittering and nearby villages, generally within approximately 15 minutes’ driving distance of our local service areas.
For patients who need ongoing support, we can arrange follow-up appointments and discuss discounted treatment packages.
Rehabilitation for older people following surgery or a hospital stay
Recovery isn’t only about returning to sport or physically demanding activities.
For many older patients, the most important goals are maintaining independence, improving walking ability and feeling confident at home.
A period in hospital can leave someone feeling weaker or less steady on their feet, even when the treatment or operation itself has been successful.
Individual rehabilitation can focus on rebuilding strength, improving balance, practising walking and helping patients become more confident with everyday movements.
Sometimes the goals are wonderfully simple: being able to make a cup of tea independently, walk into the garden, visit friends or spend time playing with grandchildren.
Our team understands the importance of working patiently and positively with people whose mobility or confidence has been affected by surgery, illness or a hospital stay.
We also provide physiotherapy in local residential care homes and nursing homes, including Wellington Grange, Augusta Court, Cornelius House, Kings Lodge and Chichester Grange.
Family members and care-home staff can contact us to discuss arranging an assessment for a resident.
Continuing your rehabilitation at our Bosham studio
Home physiotherapy can be particularly useful during the early stages of recovery, but your rehabilitation doesn’t necessarily have to remain at home.
As your mobility and confidence improve, you may benefit from progressing to clinic-based rehabilitation.
At our Bosham clinic, we have a dedicated rehabilitation studio equipped with parallel bars and rehabilitation stairs.
These facilities provide a supervised environment for practising walking, balance, strength and functional movements.
They can be particularly helpful for people rebuilding their confidence with walking and stairs following surgery or a period of reduced mobility.
We also offer individual physiotherapy and rehabilitation appointments at our Goodwood and Witterings locations.
Free car parking is available at all our clinic locations, including the Witterings.
Find out more about our rehabilitation services.
Getting back to doing what you love
Everyone has their own idea of a successful recovery.
For one person, it might mean returning to the golf course. For another, it could be walking the South Downs, getting back on a bicycle or enjoying time in the garden.
For someone else, success might mean walking confidently to the local shops, going on holiday or being able to look after their grandchildren again.
These personal goals are at the heart of good rehabilitation.
At Chichester Physio, we want to understand what matters to you and help you work towards it through a programme that builds on your progress.
We recognise that recovery isn’t identical for everyone. Your physiotherapist will regularly review your progress and adapt your rehabilitation to your needs.
Frequently asked questions about physiotherapy after surgery
How soon after surgery should I start physiotherapy?
This depends on the operation you’ve had and the instructions provided by your surgical team. Some rehabilitation begins very soon after surgery, while certain exercises or activities need to wait until the appropriate stage of healing. Your physiotherapist will take these requirements into account.
Can I have private physiotherapy while waiting for NHS physiotherapy?
Yes. You can arrange private physiotherapy while waiting for an NHS appointment. Our team can review your discharge instructions and provide appropriate rehabilitation alongside your existing care.
Can a physiotherapist visit me at home after a hip or knee replacement?
Yes. We offer home visit physiotherapy following hip and knee replacements and other suitable operations. Home appointments can be particularly helpful if you are not yet driving or find travelling difficult.
Can you help with ACL rehabilitation at home?
Yes. We can support the early stages of ACL rehabilitation at home, following the rehabilitation instructions provided by your surgeon. As your recovery progresses, clinic-based strengthening and rehabilitation may become appropriate.
Do I need a referral from my GP or surgeon?
No GP referral is required to book private physiotherapy at Chichester Physio. However, after surgery, we will need to understand the procedure you’ve had and follow any relevant restrictions or instructions from your surgical team.
Can I start physiotherapy before my operation?
Yes. Prehabilitation can help you work on strength, mobility and general physical preparation before planned surgery. We offer individual prehabilitation appointments at Bosham and Goodwood.
Can I move from home physiotherapy to appointments at your clinic?
Absolutely. Some patients start with home visits and then continue at Bosham, Goodwood or the Witterings once travelling becomes easier. We’ll discuss the options that best suit your recovery.
Your next step towards recovery
Whether you’re preparing for surgery, have recently returned home from hospital or would like additional help progressing your rehabilitation, Lindy Griffiths and her team at Chichester Physio are here to support you.
We offer experienced, individual physiotherapy and rehabilitation, with appointments at our clinics or in your own home.
Our aim is to help you regain your strength, restore your confidence and get back to doing the things you enjoy.
To discuss your rehabilitation or arrange an appointment, call 01243 783040.
You can also find out more about our Home Visit Physiotherapy service in Chichester.
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