Total Joint Replacement Rehabilitation Edmonton
Regain Strength and Mobility After Joint Replacement
If you’re recovering from a knee, hip, or shoulder replacement, you might be wondering how long it will take to walk comfortably, get your strength back, or simply move without hesitation.
That’s where Total Joint Replacement Rehabilitation in Edmonton comes in. At West Henday Physical Therapy, we guide you through every step of recovery — helping you regain mobility, reduce stiffness, and rebuild confidence in your new joint.
Why Is Rehab After Joint Replacement So Important?
Joint surgery fixes the mechanics, but rehab restores your ability to move.
Without proper physiotherapy, it’s common for people to experience stiffness, weakness, and delayed healing. Our goal is to help you move safely, strengthen effectively, and avoid long-term complications.
That includes:
- Regaining your walking pattern and weight-bearing ability
- Restoring joint range of motion
- Preventing scar tissue and joint stiffness
- Improving strength and stability around your new joint
When Should I Start Rehab After Joint Replacement Surgery?
The sooner you begin moving, the better your recovery outcomes tend to be.
Most people start total joint replacement rehabilitation in Edmonton within the first 3 to 7 days after surgery, often as soon as the hospital clears them for movement. Early rehab helps reduce swelling, prevent joint stiffness, and promote healing before bad habits or compensations develop.
At West Henday Physical Therapy, we’ll guide you through each phase of recovery, starting with gentle, structured movement. Whether your surgery was recent or several weeks ago, we will adapt your treatment plan based on:
- Surgical notes and timeline
- Your current mobility and pain level
- Swelling, joint stiffness, or muscle weakness
- Your goals—whether it’s walking confidently, returning to work, or resuming everyday routines
Not sure if it’s too early or too late?
Book an assessment, and we’ll help you figure out the best starting point for your recovery—no referral needed.
What Techniques Do You Use for Joint Replacement Rehab?
We use a structured approach tailored to your type of surgery and your recovery stage. Your sessions may include:
Manual Therapy
To reduce swelling, release muscle guarding, and improve joint mobility. This also helps prevent scar tissue from restricting the range of motion in the early healing phase.
Scar Tissue Mobilization
Gentle techniques are used around incision sites to reduce sensitivity, improve tissue glide, and prevent adhesions that can limit flexibility.
Gait Re-Training
For hip, knee, or ankle replacements, we assess and correct how you walk to prevent limping and avoid compensating with your back or opposite leg.
Strength & Stability Training
Progressive exercises are designed to rebuild muscle support around your joint. We begin with activation and progress toward resistance-based and weight-bearing movements tailored to your comfort and function.
Neuromuscular Re-Education
Helps your muscles “re-learn” how to support the joint effectively, especially important after surgery disrupts normal movement patterns.
Balance and Proprioception Drills
Restores your sense of stability and control, especially important to prevent falls during recovery from lower limb replacements.
Mobility and Flexibility Work
Focused physical therapy to prevent joint stiffness and restore full, safe movement in all planes—whether it’s bending a knee, reaching overhead, or rotating the shoulder.
Functional Movement Coaching
We work on essential daily activities like sitting, climbing stairs, getting in/out of a car, and reaching overhead so you feel safe and capable at home and in the community.
Balance and Proprioception Drills
Especially after hip or knee replacement, we use balance work to retrain your body’s awareness and avoid falls.
Breathing and Core Control Integration
After surgery, posture and breathing patterns often change. We use guided techniques to retrain breath, engage your core, and support spinal alignment during movement.
What Joints and Conditions Do You Help People Recover From?
We provide Total Joint Replacement Rehabilitation in Edmonton for a variety of procedures involving the major joints and surrounding structures. This includes:
Knee replacements
full, partial, and resurfacing procedures
Hip replacements
anterior, posterior, and minimally invasive approaches
Shoulder replacements
total, reverse, and hemiarthroplasty
Ankle replacements
restoring walking mechanics and mobility
Elbow joint replacements
improving arm strength and extension
Joint revision surgeries
recovery after hardware adjustments or re-dos
Bilateral joint replacements
simultaneous recovery of both sides
Joint resurfacing procedures
like hip or shoulder resurfacing for younger or more active patients
Post-surgical stiffness and compensatory strain
from delayed rehab starts or complex cases
Every rehab plan is individually customized—we meet you where you are, adjust your care as you heal, and guide you toward long-term function and independence.
Your Personalized Total Joint Recovery Plan
Every recovery journey looks a little different, but at West Henday Physical Therapy, we help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
For most people, Total Joint Replacement Rehabilitation in Edmonton takes about 8 to 12 weeks, depending on the type of surgery and how your body responds. Some clients progress faster, while others may need a longer plan, especially if they’re recovering from revision surgery, complications, or delayed rehab.
Your program usually starts with 2–3 visits per week, then tapers to weekly check-ins as you regain strength, range, and function. We adjust the pace based on:
- Your pain levels and swelling
- Joint mobility and flexibility
- Your goals (e.g., returning to work, walking without aids, climbing stairs)
- How soon after surgery do you begin rehab
Whether you’re early in your recovery or restarting after a plateau, we’ll build a plan that fits your needs, not just a timeline.
Have Questions About What to Expect? We’ve Got You Covered.
Here are some of the most common concerns we hear from patients starting rehab after joint surgery:
“Can I drive while going through rehab?”
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If you've had a knee or hip replacement on your driving leg, you’ll likely need to wait until you can fully bear weight and react quickly. We can guide you based on your progress and safety.
Some discomfort is normal, especially when working through stiffness. But rehab should never feel overwhelming. We monitor your pain closely and modify as needed so you stay challenged—but comfortable.
Wear something loose and comfortable that allows easy access to the area we’re treating, like shorts for knee rehab or a tank top for shoulder work.
Yes—reducing swelling and improving circulation are key parts of early recovery. We also assess and treat numbness or tingling if it’s limiting your function.
No problem. We don’t require a local referral, and we’ll review your surgical details to make sure your plan aligns with the procedure you had, even if it was done elsewhere.
Ready to Start Total Joint Replacement Rehabilitation in Edmonton?
If you’re healing from joint surgery and want to move forward with clarity and support, we’re ready to help.
Book an assessment with West Henday Physical Therapy and take the next step in your recovery — confidently, safely, and with a plan built just for you.