Post-Surgical Rehabilitation: Recovering Strength and Function After Surgery
Surgery is often only one step in the recovery process, the far more challenging and often underestimated part of your recovery is you rehabilitation. Whether it is a hip replacement, knee replacement, rotator cuff repair or spinal surgery, the procedure addresses the structural problem — but rehabilitation restores strength, movement and function. This blog follows on from the theme of our previous blog “Exercise as Medicine”, which has been a very popular post (especially with spammers looking to flog their supplements through it, the cheek of it!).
In my clinical experience, many patients assume that once the surgery is completed, recovery will simply happen with time. While rest is important in the early stages, structured exercise rehabilitation is one of the most important predictors of a successful long-term outcome. This goes for pre-surgical preparation also! One thing I mention to any of the patients I have ever seen who need any type of joint surgery or replacement is: “your job, is to keep as much muscle mass around that joint as possible! If you do, your post-operative outcomes will be greater and much easier to maintain”. The ones that do this have a much better time before and after their surgeries.
Research consistently shows that exercise-based rehabilitation improves strength, mobility, pain levels and functional ability following orthopaedic surgery (Bade & Stevens-Lapsley 2011; Pozzi et al. 2013).
Here at Spriggs Chiropractic in Newbury, rehabilitation is a core part of our treatment approach. Our clinic is equipped with a wide range of exercise equipment to help patients rebuild strength safely, including:
- kettlebell weights
- resistance bands
- a treadmill
- a recumbent exercise bike
- a Power Plate vibration platform
- proprioceptive and balance equipment such as wobble boards and BOSU balls
These tools allow us to design individual rehabilitation programmes tailored to each patient’s surgery, recovery stage and goals.
Rehabilitation After Hip Replacement Surgery
Total hip replacement is widely regarded as one of the most successful orthopaedic procedures. However, research shows that many patients still experience weakness, reduced walking speed and impaired balance months after surgery if rehabilitation is insufficient (Trudelle-Jackson & Smith 2004).
Exercise rehabilitation aims to restore:
- hip muscle strength (particularly gluteal muscles)
- walking mechanics
- balance and stability
At Spriggs Chiropractic we may use:
- Recumbent bike training to gently restore hip movement
- Kettlebell strengthening exercises for the glutes and hip stabilisers
- Balance training on wobble boards or BOSU balls to reduce fall risk
- Progressive walking on the treadmill to normalise gait
Evidence suggests that targeted strengthening of the hip abductors and extensors significantly improves walking ability and functional recovery following hip replacement.
Rehabilitation After Knee Replacement Surgery
Total knee replacement is commonly performed for severe osteoarthritis. While the surgery can significantly reduce pain, muscle weakness and reduced mobility are common after the operation.
One of the most important factors affecting recovery is quadriceps strength, which often declines significantly following surgery.
Research shows that progressive strengthening programmes improve functional outcomes and walking ability after knee replacement (Bade & Stevens-Lapsley 2011).
Rehabilitation may include:
- Resistance band exercises to strengthen the quadriceps
- Recumbent bike training to improve knee mobility
- Gradual treadmill walking to restore normal gait patterns
- Balance training to improve joint stability
These exercises are progressed gradually to help patients regain confidence in their knee while avoiding excessive strain.
Rehabilitation After Rotator Cuff Repair
Rotator cuff injuries are a common cause of shoulder pain and weakness. When surgery is required, a carefully staged rehabilitation programme is critical to ensure the tendon heals while gradually restoring shoulder strength.
Rehabilitation typically progresses through stages:
- Early protected mobility
- Gradual strengthening
- Functional shoulder training
Research shows that exercise therapy significantly improves range of motion and shoulder function after rotator cuff repair (Kuhn 2009; Klintberg et al. 2015).
In clinic we often focus on:
- Resistance band exercises for the rotator cuff muscles
- Scapular stabilisation exercises to improve shoulder mechanics
- Postural rehabilitation to reduce shoulder strain
Restoring proper coordination between the shoulder blade and rotator cuff muscles is essential for long-term shoulder health.
Rehabilitation After Spinal Surgery
Spinal surgeries such as discectomy or spinal fusion are often performed to relieve nerve compression or instability. However, research suggests that structured rehabilitation programmes significantly improve pain and functional outcomes after spinal surgery (Oosterhuis et al. 2014).
Rehabilitation following spinal surgery often focuses on:
- Core stability training
- restoring spinal mobility
- improving posture
- rebuilding overall strength
At Spriggs Chiropractic, spinal rehabilitation may include:
- core stability exercises
- controlled mobility work
- balance training using wobble boards and BOSU balls
- graded cardiovascular exercise using the treadmill or bike
In some cases, whole-body vibrationtraining using the Power Plate may also be incorporated to improve muscle activation and neuromuscular control.
Why Rehabilitation Matters After Surgery
Surgery may repair the damaged tissue, but exercise rehabilitation restores the body’s ability to function normally.
Evidence shows that rehabilitation helps:
- restore muscle strength
- improve joint mobility
- reduce pain and stiffness
- improve balance and coordination
- speed return to daily activities and work
This is why rehabilitation should be viewed as an essential part of recovery rather than an optional extra.
Exercise Rehabilitation at Spriggs Chiropractic in Newbury
At Spriggs Chiropractic, rehabilitation programmes are tailored to each individual patient following a detailed clinical assessment. Our goal is not simply to reduce pain but to help you:
- regain strength
- restore normal movement
- reduce the likelihood of future injuries
- return confidently to your daily activities
Our clinic in Newbury is specifically designed to support exercise-based rehabilitation, combining hands-on care with progressive strength and mobility training to support long-term recovery.
Ready to Start Your Recovery?
If you are recovering from surgery — or preparing for an operation — the right rehabilitation plan can make a huge difference to your outcome.
If you would like help with post-surgical rehabilitation in Newbury, our team at Spriggs Chiropractic & Nutrition is here to help.
📞 Call us on 01635 43238
📍 Visit our clinic at The Courtyard, London Road, Newbury
💻 Or book your appointment online through our website.
Your recovery deserves more than just rest — it deserves the right rehabilitation plan.
References
Bade MJ, Stevens-Lapsley JE. (2011). Early high-intensity rehabilitation following total knee arthroplasty improves outcomes. Arthritis Care & Research.
Pozzi F, Snyder-Mackler L, Zeni J. (2013). Physical exercise after total hip arthroplasty: A systematic review of controlled trials. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation.
Trudelle-Jackson E, Smith S. (2004). Effects of strengthening exercises after total hip arthroplasty. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy.
Kuhn JE. (2009). Exercise in the treatment of rotator cuff impingement. Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery.
Klintberg IH et al. (2015). Rehabilitation after rotator cuff repair. BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine.
Oosterhuis T et al. (2014). Rehabilitation after lumbar disc surgery. Spine.