Your parent just had hip or knee surgery, and now the work of recovery lands partly on your shoulders. That is a real responsibility, and it helps to understand what the rehabilitation process actually looks like before anyone walks through a clinic door. The more clearly you picture the path ahead, the better you can support your parent through it.
What post-surgical rehab is actually trying to accomplish
Surgery repairs the joint; rehabilitation rebuilds what surrounds it. After a hip or knee replacement, a physical therapist works to restore strength, function and mobility so your parent can return to everyday activities, whether that means walking to the mailbox, climbing stairs or riding in a car without pain. The clinical term for this is returning to activities of daily living, or ADLs. Most rehab programs also aim to reduce swelling and stiffness in the early weeks and then progress to functional strength training as healing allows. Understanding this sequence, rather than expecting overnight results, makes the timeline feel far less discouraging for both of you.
What happens during a physical therapy session for a joint replacement?
A PT session for post-surgical recovery typically combines several approaches in one visit. At Elite Rehab Solutions, the sessions are one on one and evidence based, meaning a therapist works directly with your parent rather than directing them to a machine in a corner. Techniques the practice uses for post-operative patients include manual therapy, soft tissue and joint mobilization, gait and balance training, TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), therapeutic exercise, ultrasound and functional re-education. In practical terms, your parent might spend part of a session on supervised walking exercises and part on gentle joint mobilization to recover range of motion. What the session focuses on changes week by week as the joint heals, so early visits look quite different from visits several weeks later.
How to prepare the home before your parent is discharged
The biggest safety risks in the first few weeks at home are falls and awkward movements that strain the new joint. Walk through the house before discharge and address a few common problem spots. Clear loose rugs and electrical cords from walking paths. Move frequently used items, such as glasses, medication and a phone, to counter height so your parent does not need to crouch or stretch. A raised toilet seat and a shower chair are often recommended after hip surgery because deep bending at the hip is usually restricted; confirm the exact movement restrictions with the surgical team before the hospital stay ends, not after. A sturdy chair with armrests makes it much easier to sit and stand safely. These are general preparation steps that most families find helpful regardless of which surgeon performed the procedure.
The role you play between therapy appointments
Physical therapy visits are only part of the recovery. A therapist will send your parent home with rehabilitative exercises to continue between appointments, and your job is to help those exercises happen consistently. That does not mean supervising every repetition, but it does mean helping clear the time and space for them, offering encouragement when motivation is low and keeping a simple record of any pain, swelling or new symptoms to report at the next visit. If your parent skips exercises because they are tired or sore, note that too. Honest reporting to the therapist leads to a better adjusted plan. Recovery from a joint replacement is not linear; some days are harder than others, and that is normal. Your steady, calm presence matters more than any single day’s performance.
Should you go to the first PT appointment with your parent?
Yes, if your parent wants company. The first visit is the best opportunity to ask questions, hear the initial assessment and understand what the first phase of the plan involves. You will be better positioned to support the home exercise program if you have seen the exercises demonstrated. Bring a list of your parent’s current medications, a copy of any surgical or discharge paperwork and the specific precautions the surgeon listed. Write down the answers you get rather than relying on memory. Families who engage early in the process typically find it easier to navigate the weeks that follow, and therapists welcome that involvement. If attending in person is not possible, a phone call to the clinic before or after that first session accomplishes much of the same thing.
What about getting PT started quickly after surgery?
Timing matters. Most surgeons refer patients to physical therapy soon after a joint replacement because early, guided movement supports healing and helps prevent complications like stiffness and muscle atrophy. If your parent’s surgeon has not yet provided a referral, that is worth discussing before the procedure. Elite Rehab Solutions notes on its site that no referral is required to begin care, and that it aims to see new patients within 24 to 48 hours of a request. Both private pay and most insurance options are accepted. For families in communities like Prattville, Tallassee, Eclectic or the Hoover corridor near Valleydale Road, having a clinic within reasonable driving distance removes one more barrier to getting started on time. You can review the full scope of what this program includes on the pre and post operative rehabilitation page and request an appointment from there.
Signs the recovery is on track versus signs to call someone
Progress after a hip or knee replacement is generally measured by gradual improvement in pain, swelling, range of motion and the ability to bear weight. Some soreness after therapy sessions is typical, particularly in the first few weeks. General guidelines suggest that soreness that settles within a couple of hours is usually expected, while pain that spikes significantly and does not calm down, a joint that is suddenly much more swollen or hot, a fever, or redness and discharge at the incision site are reasons to contact the surgeon promptly. These are not matters for a physical therapist to diagnose; when in doubt, call the surgical office. Your physical therapist should also hear about any significant changes at the next appointment. Keeping a short daily note of your parent’s pain level, sleep and exercise completion gives everyone involved a clearer picture over time.
Frequently asked questions
How soon after hip or knee surgery does physical therapy usually start?
For most joint replacements, rehabilitation begins within days of surgery, sometimes while still in the hospital. The exact timeline depends on the type of procedure, the surgeon’s protocol and your parent’s overall health. Discuss the expected start date with the surgical team before the operation so there is no gap in care after discharge.
What movement restrictions should I know about at home?
Hip replacement patients are usually given a list of precautions that limit how far the hip can bend, rotate or cross the midline of the body in the early weeks. Knee replacement patients face different restrictions. These precautions come from the surgeon, not the physical therapist, and they override any general advice you read online. Get them in writing before discharge and share them with your parent’s PT at the first visit.
My parent is nervous about pain during PT sessions. Is that normal?
Nervousness about discomfort is very common, and a good therapist expects it. Physical therapy after joint replacement is designed to work within a manageable range, not to push through severe pain. Your parent should feel comfortable telling the therapist what they are experiencing during every exercise. Open communication during sessions leads to a better paced program and faster overall progress.
What if my parent lives alone and I cannot be there every day?
Many patients recover successfully with part time family support combined with home health services in the early days. Talk with the hospital discharge planner before your parent leaves the facility; they can arrange visiting nurse care, home physical therapy for the first phase if your parent cannot travel, or equipment like a walker. Once your parent is able to travel to an outpatient clinic, consistent visits there plus the home exercise program carry most of the recovery.
Does Elite Rehab Solutions treat patients who just had surgery and have not had PT before?
Yes. Surgeons routinely refer post-surgical patients to the practice, and new patients with no prior PT experience are welcome. No referral is required to request an appointment. If your parent’s surgeon has not yet provided one, you can contact the nearest clinic location directly or use the appointment request form on the website to get the process started.
Sources
This article draws on the following pages.