Rehabilitation After Joint Surgery: Why Early Movement Matters

Why Is Rehab So Important After Joint Surgery?

Joint surgery relieves pain, restores mobility, and corrects damage, but it also requires the surrounding muscles, ligaments, and joints to relearn how to work together. After surgery, your body needs time, practice, and support to adjust.

Rehabilitation helps you:

• Restore strength and balance
• Improve flexibility and range of motion
• Reduce swelling and scar tissue buildup
• Prevent complications like blood clots or stiffness
• Regain confidence in movement and daily activities
• Return to walking, driving, working, and enjoying life

The Power of Early Movement

You might think rest is the best medicine after joint surgery, but in most cases, getting up and moving safely as soon as possible leads to better outcomes.

Many patients are encouraged to stand or walk within 24 hours after surgery, with help from a physical therapist or care team.

Early movement helps:

• Stimulate blood flow and healing
• Prevent muscle weakness and joint stiffness
• Speed up recovery time
• Reduce hospital stays and the risk of complications
• Support better long-term function

Of course, this movement is gentle, guided, and closely monitored. You won’t be doing jumping jacks. But small steps early on lead to bigger strides ahead.

Inpatient Rehabilitation

For patients needing 24/7 care and daily therapy after surgery (often after a joint replacement or when mobility is limited).

Home Health Care

For many patients, receiving home visits from a physical therapist can allow you to transition from care in an inpatient facility to therapy in an outpatient clinic.

Outpatient Physical Therapy

After discharge from inpatient or home health care, you’ll continue rehab with a physical therapist at an outpatient rehab center, usually 2–3 times a week, focusing on strength, flexibility, and real-life movements.

At-Home Exercises

You’ll be given a tailored set of movements to practice at home to support your progress between therapy sessions.

Throughout your journey, your care team will help track progress, reduce pain, and celebrate every step forward.

Planning Ahead: What You Can Do Now

If you have a joint surgery scheduled, here’s how to set yourself up for a smoother recovery:

• Talk to your provider about rehab options before surgery
• Set up your home to be safe and comfortable for recovery
• Arrange help for daily tasks during your first few weeks
• Stay active (with guidance) before surgery to build strength
• Keep a positive mindset: you’re not just healing, you’re rebuilding

The Role of Your Rehab Team

Rehab isn’t a solo journey. At St. Mary’s, you’ll work with a compassionate, experienced team that may include:

• Orthopedic surgeons and surgical nurses
• Physical and occupational therapists
• Rehab nurses and case managers
• Inpatient rehabilitation specialists
• Your primary care provider

Together, we focus not just on healing the joint but restoring the person behind it.

Connect With a Provider Who’s With You Every Step

Whether you're just starting to explore joint surgery or you’re planning your rehab after an upcoming procedure, we’re here to support you with expert care and heartfelt compassion.

Here are some of our trusted primary care locations where you can begin the conversation:

• Athens Internal Medicine Associates – Athens
• Community Internal Medicine of Athens – Athens
• Georgia Family Medicine – Watkinsville
• Good Samaritan Primary Care – Greater Greene County area
• Sacred Heart Primary Care – Greater Franklin County area
• St. Mary's Family Medicine – Bogart
• St. Mary’s Internal Medicine Associates – Watkinsville/Oconee
• St. Mary’s Internal Medicine Associates on Chase – North Athens/Jackson/Madison
• St. Mary's Primary Care – Athens