Surgery is half the outcome. Rehabilitation is the other half.
Two patients can have the same operation from the same surgeon and end up with very different knees a year later. The difference is almost always what happened after discharge. Structured post-surgical physiotherapy protects the repair, restores movement in the right sequence and rebuilds the strength that surgery alone cannot give back.
Physio Buddy provides post-operative rehabilitation both at our Chandkheda clinic and at home across Chandkheda, Motera, Gandhinagar and nearby North Ahmedabad, led by Dr. Maitri Kothari, BPT, MPT (Musculoskeletal and Sports), with 10+ years of experience and more than 2,000 recoveries.
Surgeries we rehabilitate
- Total and partial knee replacement
- Hip replacement, including recovery after hip fracture surgery
- ACL reconstruction and meniscus repair
- Spine surgery, including discectomy for a slip disc and decompression procedures
- Fracture fixation with plates, rods or screws, once your surgeon clears movement
- Shoulder surgery, including rotator cuff repair and stabilisation procedures
From hospital discharge to full recovery
Hospitals send patients home far sooner than they once did, which means most of the real recovery now happens outside hospital walls. The gap between the discharge date and the first physiotherapy session is where recoveries quietly go wrong, so we encourage families to make contact before discharge, or within the first day or two after it, with the discharge summary in hand.
The first two weeks: usually at home
This is where home visits earn their place. Getting in and out of bed safely, managing swelling, gentle protected movement, breathing exercises after anaesthesia and learning to walk correctly with a walker or stick. Travelling to a clinic days after surgery is unnecessary strain, so for most patients this phase happens in their own bedroom.
Weeks two to six: restoring movement
Range-of-movement targets, scar care, progressive weight-bearing as your surgeon's protocol allows, and the first real strength work. Many patients continue at home through this phase, while others start visiting the clinic as mobility improves.
Week six onwards: rebuilding strength and confidence
Progressive exercise therapy, balance work, stair practice and a graded return to daily routines, work and, where relevant, sport. The finish line is function you can trust, not just a healed scar.
What we track, so progress is visible
Joint range in degrees, swelling, walking distance and pattern, strength benchmarks and functional milestones such as managing stairs, sitting comfortably and getting back on a two-wheeler. You see the numbers move week by week, which is the honest answer to the question every post-operative patient asks: am I on schedule?
Common mistakes that slow recovery after surgery
- Waiting for pain to disappear before moving. Protected movement, started on time, is what prevents stiffness; total rest usually creates it.
- Stopping physiotherapy at the halfway mark. Walking without support feels like the finish line, but the strength that protects the joint for the next decade is built in the weeks after that point.
- Skipping the home exercises between sessions. Sessions steer the recovery; the daily repetitions are the recovery.
- Comparing timelines with a relative's surgery. Age, fitness before surgery and the procedure itself all shift the schedule, which is why yours is written for you, not copied from someone else.
Clinic, home or both
Most patients follow a hybrid path: home visits in the early weeks, then clinic sessions once travel is comfortable, with virtual check-ins in between when needed. Home visits are priced higher than clinic sessions to account for travel, and exact fees are shared on WhatsApp at +91 78619 29326 before anything is booked, so families can plan the full recovery cost upfront.
What Patients Say
"Dr. Maitri Kothari is highly professional. I took 10 days of ultrasound and exercise treatment. I totally got well and healthy. Highly recommended!"
"My mother had knee replacement. Dr. Maitri's post-operative physiotherapy made her walk independently and completely recover. Very grateful!"
Frequently Asked Questions
When should physiotherapy start after surgery?
Usually much earlier than people expect, often within days, and for knee replacement typically while you are still in hospital. Your surgeon's protocol sets the start date, and we pick up from wherever the hospital team leaves off after discharge.
Is post-surgical physiotherapy painful?
Regaining knee bend after a replacement, in particular, involves real discomfort, and pretending otherwise would be dishonest. The difference is that therapeutic discomfort is dosed, purposeful and short-lived, while avoiding movement out of fear creates stiffness that is much harder to undo later.
How long until I walk normally after a knee replacement?
Most patients walk with support within days of surgery and progress to walking unaided over the following weeks, with recovery continuing for months as strength returns. Your own timeline depends on your pre-surgery fitness and how consistently rehab is done. Our knee replacement rehab page covers the stages in detail.
Do you offer post-surgery physiotherapy at home in Gandhinagar?
Yes. Home visits cover Gandhinagar, including the GIFT City and Infocity side, served from our Chandkheda clinic. There is no separate Gandhinagar clinic; the same physiotherapist travels to you. See physiotherapy in Gandhinagar.
Will you coordinate with my surgeon?
Yes. Rehab runs inside the surgeon's protocol, and we share progress notes whenever the surgeon or your family asks for them. If anything in your recovery looks off-track, such as unusual swelling or signs of infection, you will be sent back to the surgeon promptly.
What should I keep ready at home before the first visit?
Your discharge summary, operative notes and any imaging, plus a firm bed, a sturdy chair with armrests, your walker or stick, and a few metres of clear walking space. A family member present for the first session helps, especially for elderly patients.
What does post-surgical rehabilitation cost?
Clinic sessions in Ahmedabad typically range from Rs 300 to Rs 800, and home visits cost more because of travel. Exact fees for your surgery type and location are quoted on call or WhatsApp at +91 78619 29326 before you commit. See the pricing guide for context.