Rehabilitation is the post–surgical program of re-establishing joint motion, muscle strength around the joint and finally joint function. It is very important to understand that rehabilitation is a long process. While the surgery is performed within hours, the rehabilitation needs many months, potentially up to a year.
Following surgery, bones, muscles and soft tissues undergo a period healing. Failure to use the joint may cause it to heal improperly. This can limit range of motion, flexibility, function of the joint and overall surgical outcome. This makes it essential to complete physical therapy after a surgery.
