PRE- AND POST-OPERATIVE REHABILITATION
Pre- and Post-Operative Rehabilitation in Shirley
Personalised physiotherapy to prepare for surgery and support structured rehabilitation afterwards. Your plan is shaped around the procedure, current function, personal goals and guidance from the surgical team. Appointments are available at the Shirley clinic, with home visits across parts of Solihull and Birmingham considered where location, need and availability allow.
PLANNED SURGICAL REHABILITATION
Rehabilitation before and after surgery
Pre-operative physiotherapy can help you understand the physical demands of the planned procedure and begin suitable work on strength, mobility or practical preparation beforehand.
After an operation, rehabilitation follows the restrictions, precautions and milestones provided by your surgeon or hospital team. Assessment considers the procedure, current recovery stage, movement, strength, walking and the daily activities that are difficult. Physiotherapy should support, not override, the clinical guidance already given to you.
Progress is individual and cannot be reduced to one recovery timetable. Rehabilitation may move from early mobility and symptom-management advice towards progressive strengthening, work demands or exercise. The examples below can be addressed when appropriate for the procedure and stage of recovery.
PREPARATION AND RECOVERY
Assessment and treatment shaped around you
Assessment considers the planned or completed procedure, relevant medical history, surgical instructions and the activities you need to manage. Before surgery this may include baseline movement and strength; afterwards it may include walking, mobility, swelling, function and confidence within current precautions.
Bring any discharge information, rehabilitation protocol or surgeon’s instructions that you have received. These documents help ensure that physiotherapy progresses within the restrictions and priorities set by the clinical team responsible for the operation.
Pre-operative preparation
Suitable exercise and practical planning may help you approach surgery with a clearer understanding of early recovery needs.
Early-stage rehabilitation
Initial work follows surgical guidance and may address safe mobility, walking, gentle movement and manageable home exercises.
Progressive strength and mobility
Exercises develop as precautions allow, with load and range adjusted to your stage and response.
Return to everyday activity
Later rehabilitation relates strength and function to household tasks, work, exercise or other personal priorities.
Progress reviews help adapt the plan without promising a set timeframe, and any unexpected symptoms or concerns can be directed back to the appropriate surgical or medical team.
YOUR APPOINTMENTS
What to expect
01
Assessment
Review the procedure, current guidance, symptoms and functional priorities before selecting appropriate physical tests.
02
Clear explanation
Discuss the rehabilitation stage, relevant precautions and the reasons behind the proposed starting plan.
03
Personalised plan
Begin suitable mobility, strength or functional exercises that follow clinical instructions and your current capacity.
04
Progress reviews
Review movement and function, then progress rehabilitation as restrictions, recovery and personal goals allow.
LEAD PHYSIOTHERAPIST
Meet Mesut Acar
Mesut Acar, MSc, is Lead Physiotherapist at ACR Physiotherapy. His experience in musculoskeletal, orthopaedic and sports physiotherapy supports rehabilitation before and after surgery. He reviews the procedure, current stage and instructions provided by the surgeon or hospital team before agreeing physiotherapy priorities with you. Exercise and activity are progressed according to precautions, function and response rather than a standard recovery schedule. Mesut explains each stage clearly and recommends medical review when concerns fall outside physiotherapy. He is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council and is a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
HCPC registeredLead Physiotherapist
CSP memberMesut Acar, MSc
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Surgical rehabilitation questions
Practical information before arranging an assessment.
What is pre-operative physiotherapy?
Pre-operative physiotherapy helps you prepare physically and practically before surgery. Depending on the planned procedure and medical guidance, it may include baseline assessment, suitable strengthening or mobility work, and discussion of early post-operative movement and home needs.
When can physiotherapy begin after surgery?
The appropriate start depends on the operation, surgeon’s guidance, wound status, precautions and your general health. Some rehabilitation begins soon after surgery, while other procedures require protection first. Follow the instructions supplied by your hospital or surgical team.
Will treatment follow my surgeon’s instructions?
Yes. Rehabilitation should work within the restrictions and milestones given by your surgeon or hospital team. Bring any protocol, discharge summary or written advice to the first appointment so the plan can reflect the guidance relevant to your procedure.
What should I bring to my first rehabilitation appointment?
Bring relevant surgical letters, discharge information, rehabilitation protocols, medication information and any mobility aid you currently use. Comfortable clothing that allows the operated area and relevant movement to be assessed can also be helpful.
How many rehabilitation sessions might I need?
Session numbers vary with the operation, recovery stage, goals, complications, available support and response to exercise. The assessment provides a starting plan, while progress reviews help decide whether appointments should continue, become less frequent or change focus.
Are home visits available after an operation?
Home visits may be considered across parts of Solihull and Birmingham when travel is difficult and location, clinical need and availability allow. Suitability also depends on the procedure, current precautions and whether the home setting supports safe assessment and exercise.
START YOUR RECOVERY
Ready to plan your rehabilitation before or after surgery?
Shirley clinic: 12th Health Therapy Rooms, 190 Robin Hood Lane, Birmingham B28 0LG.
Tell us about your procedure and current stage so we can guide you towards an appropriate appointment option.
