Orthopedic Rehabilitation
Recover stronger. Move better. Return with confidence.
Surgery is a big deal. Whether it was a knee replacement, a rotator cuff repair, or a spinal procedure — you went through a lot to get here. Now the real work begins, and we want to make sure you get the most out of that investment.
At Acadiana Pain & Performance Rehab, we provide structured, hands-on orthopedic rehabilitation designed to help you recover safely and efficiently. Working closely with your surgeon's recommendations, we create an individualized treatment plan that helps you regain mobility, rebuild strength, and return to the activities that matter most to you.
What Is Orthopedic Rehabilitation?
Orthopedic rehabilitation is a specialized form of physical therapy focused on helping people recover from injuries and surgeries affecting the bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
Recovery is about more than allowing tissues to heal. Successful rehabilitation restores:
- Joint mobility
- Muscle strength
- Balance and coordination
- Flexibility
- Functional movement
- Confidence with everyday activities
- Sport- or work-specific performance
Every rehabilitation program is customized based on your procedure, stage of healing, and personal goals.
Conditions We Commonly Treat
We provide orthopedic rehabilitation for a wide range of injuries and surgical procedures, including:
- ACL reconstruction
- Meniscus repair
- Total knee replacement
- Total hip replacement
- Total shoulder replacement
- Rotator cuff repair
- Labral repairs
- Joint fractures
- Tendon repairs
- Ligament reconstruction
- Foot and ankle surgery
- Hand and wrist surgery
- Spinal surgery
- Sports injuries
- Work-related orthopedic injuries
Whether you're recovering from surgery or managing an orthopedic injury without surgery, we'll develop a treatment plan that's right for you.
Pre-Surgical Rehabilitation (“Prehab”)
Preparing for surgery can be just as important as recovering afterward.
Research has shown that improving strength, mobility, and function before surgery may help support a smoother recovery and improve post-operative outcomes.
Pre-surgical rehabilitation may include:
- Strengthening exercises
- Improving joint mobility
- Balance and stability training
- Education about your recovery process
- Instruction on assistive devices when needed
- Exercises to begin immediately after surgery
The stronger you are going into surgery, the better positioned you are to come out of it.
Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
After surgery, your body progresses through several stages of healing. Our role is to guide you safely through each phase while protecting the surgical repair and gradually restoring normal movement.
Depending on your procedure, treatment may include:
- Pain and swelling management
- Hands-on manual therapy
- Range of motion exercises
- Progressive strengthening
- Balance and coordination training
- Walking and gait retraining
- Functional movement training
- Sport- or work-specific rehabilitation
- Return-to-activity testing
- Personalized home exercise program
Every stage of your rehabilitation follows your surgeon's recommendations and is progressed according to your healing timeline.
Our Approach
At Acadiana Pain & Performance Rehab, we believe successful rehabilitation is built on three principles:
- Restore movement by improving mobility and reducing stiffness.
- Rebuild strength through progressive, evidence-based exercise.
- Return to function by preparing you for the physical demands of work, sports, and everyday life.
Our goal isn't simply to help you recover from surgery. It's to help you recover to the highest level possible.
Research & Evidence
Research consistently shows that structured rehabilitation is essential for maximizing recovery after orthopedic injuries and surgery.
- Clinical practice guidelines recommend early, progressive rehabilitation following many orthopedic procedures to improve strength, mobility, and long-term function.
- Studies have found that prehabilitation before procedures such as joint replacement and ACL reconstruction can improve post-operative recovery and functional outcomes.
- Progressive strengthening and functional exercise are among the most effective strategies for restoring mobility and helping patients safely return to daily activities, work, and sports.
- Individualized rehabilitation programs that follow evidence-based progression and surgeon-specific precautions produce better outcomes than generalized exercise programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need physical therapy after orthopedic surgery?
In most cases, yes. Rehabilitation is a critical part of recovery following many orthopedic procedures because it helps restore strength, mobility, and function while reducing the risk of stiffness and long-term limitations.
What is prehabilitation?
Prehabilitation, or "prehab," is physical therapy performed before surgery. It focuses on improving strength, mobility, and overall conditioning to help prepare your body for surgery and recovery.
How long does orthopedic rehabilitation take?
Recovery depends on the type of injury or surgery, your overall health, and your goals. Some patients recover within a few weeks, while others require several months of progressive rehabilitation.
Can physical therapy help me avoid another injury?
Yes. Rehabilitation doesn't stop once pain improves. We focus on restoring movement quality, strength, and balance to help reduce the risk of future injuries and support long-term success.
References
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). OrthoInfo: Rehabilitation After Orthopaedic Surgery.
- American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). Guide to Physical Therapist Practice.
- Buhagiar MA, et al. Prehabilitation for Patients Undergoing Orthopedic Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Your Surgery Was Step One. Let's Finish the Job.
Surgery fixes the structure. Rehabilitation restores the life. With the right program, you can get back to the things you love — whether that's gardening in your backyard, playing with your grandkids, or getting back on the golf course.
Whether you're preparing for surgery or recovering afterward, our team is committed to helping you achieve the best possible outcome every step of the way.
Start Your Recovery the Right Way