Post Surgical Physiotherapy in Burlington
Individualized Rehabilitation After Surgery
Recovering from surgery involves more than healing the incision. Pain, swelling, weakness, and reduced mobility can affect your ability to walk, use your arm, climb stairs, and return to daily activities.
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Cogent Rehab provides one-on-one post-surgical physiotherapy in Burlington following orthopaedic and spinal procedures.
Your rehabilitation plan is based on your surgery, your surgeon’s instructions, your current mobility, and your recovery goals.
Surgeries We Commonly Support
We provide rehabilitation following a wide range of procedures, including:
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Joint Replacement Surgery
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Total knee replacement (TKR)
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Partial knee replacement
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Total hip replacement (THR)
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Hip resurfacing
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Total shoulder replacement
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Reverse shoulder replacement
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Revision joint replacement surgery
Knee and Lower-Limb Surgery
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ACL and PCL reconstruction
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MCL and LCL repair or reconstruction
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Multiligament knee reconstruction
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Meniscus repair or meniscectomy
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Patellar stabilization surgery
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Quadriceps or patella tendon repair
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Tibial plateau fracture fixation
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Femur fracture fixation
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Hip arthroscopy or labral repair (hip)
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Osteotomy procedures
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Achilles tendon repair
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Ankle ligament reconstruction
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Ankle fracture fixation
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Foot reconstruction surgery
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Bunion surgery (hallux valgus correction)
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Plantar fascia release
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Tendon transfer procedures
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Hardware removal
Shoulder and Upper-Limb Surgery
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Rotator cuff repair
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Shoulder stabilization (Bankart repair)
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SLAP repair
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Labral repair (shoulder)
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Biceps tenodesis or tenotomy
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Shoulder decompression (subacromial decompression)
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Clavicle fracture fixation
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Proximal humerus fracture fixation
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Elbow ligament reconstruction (UCL)
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Elbow fracture fixation
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Wrist fracture fixation
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Distal radius fracture repair
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Tendon repair (hand and wrist)
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Tendon transfer (hand)
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Carpal or cubital tunnel release
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Trigger finger release
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Dupuytren’s contracture release
Spinal Surgery
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Lumbar discectomy
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Cervical discectomy
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Laminectomy
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Laminotomy
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Spinal decompression surgery
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Cervical fusion
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Lumbar fusion
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Artificial disc replacement
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Foraminotomy
Peripheral Nerve Surgery
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Nerve decompression procedures
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Nerve repair or grafting
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Peripheral nerve release
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Neurolysis
Other Orthopaedic Procedures
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Arthroscopic surgery (various joints)
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Soft tissue repair procedures
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Fracture fixation (upper and lower limb)
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Trauma-related surgery
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Hardware removal procedures
Contact us if your procedure is not listed.
How Physiotherapy Can Help
After surgery, you may experience:
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Pain and swelling
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Stiffness or limited movement
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Muscle weakness
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Difficulty walking or using your arm
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Balance issues or reduced confidence
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Challenges with daily activities
Physiotherapy focuses on restoring movement, strength, and function so you can safely return to your routine.
What To Expect
Your first visit includes a detailed assessment of your surgery, symptoms, and mobility.
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Your treatment plan may include:
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Education on precautions and recovery timelines
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Pain and swelling management
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Range-of-motion exercises
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Strengthening and muscle activation
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Walking and mobility training
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Balance and functional exercises
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A personalized home exercise program
Treatment is progressed based on your healing stage and goals.
Rehabilitation Focus
Depending on your surgery, physiotherapy may help you:
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Walk safely and progress off mobility aids
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Improve joint movement and flexibility
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Build strength and endurance
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Manage stairs and transfers
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Return to work or daily activities
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Resume exercise or sport when appropriate
Clinic and Home-Based Care
We offer both in-clinic and home-based physiotherapy.
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Home visits may be appropriate if you:
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Have recently been discharged from hospital
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Have difficulty travelling
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Use a walker or require assistance
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Need support with mobility at home
Why Choose Cogent Rehab?
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One-on-one physiotherapy sessions
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Programs tailored to your surgery and recovery stage
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Focus on functional, real-life movement
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Support for complex or slower recoveries
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Clinic and home-based treatment options
FAQs About Post-Surgical Recovery
Do I need a referral for post-surgical physiotherapy?
A physician’s referral is generally not required to see a physiotherapist in Ontario. However, your extended health insurance provider may require one before reimbursing treatment costs.
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When should I start physiotherapy after surgery?
The appropriate timing depends on the procedure, tissues involved, your surgeon’s instructions, weight-bearing status, movement restrictions, wound healing, and current mobility. Some rehabilitation begins immediately after surgery, while certain repairs require a period of protection. Contact Cogent Rehab if you are unsure when to begin.
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Do you follow my surgeon’s rehabilitation protocol?
Yes. Bring any surgical instructions, rehabilitation protocol, weight-bearing restrictions, or movement precautions to your appointment. Your treatment plan will be adapted to your procedure and stage of healing.
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What should I bring to my first appointment?
Bring your hospital discharge instructions, surgeon’s protocol, medication list, relevant imaging or specialist reports, and any prescribed brace, sling, walker, crutches, or cane. Wear comfortable clothing that allows the operated area to be assessed where appropriate.
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How many physiotherapy sessions will I need?
The number and frequency of sessions depend on the type of surgery, healing timelines, your starting level of mobility and strength, your response to treatment, and your rehabilitation goals. Your physiotherapist will recommend an initial plan and adjust it as you progress.
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Do you provide home-based physiotherapy after surgery?
Yes. Home-based physiotherapy may be appropriate if you have recently left hospital, cannot travel safely, use a walker, require assistance to leave home, or have significant pain, fatigue, or mobility limitations. Some patients begin at home and transition to clinic-based rehabilitation as their mobility improves.
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What symptoms should I report to my surgeon or physician?
Contact your healthcare provider if you develop increasing redness, warmth or drainage around the incision, fever, wound opening, rapidly worsening pain or swelling, new numbness or weakness, or a sudden decline in function. Seek emergency care for chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, fainting, or sudden calf pain and swelling, particularly when accompanied by breathing symptoms.