What is post-surgery physical therapy?
Post-surgery physical therapy is a structured rehabilitation program that helps you recover strength, mobility, and function after an orthopedic procedure. Your therapist evaluates where you are in your recovery, identifies limitations from the surgery, and builds a treatment plan around your specific goals.
Treatment typically includes hands-on techniques, guided exercises, and progressive loading to restore the area affected by surgery. Cleveland Clinic describes physical therapy as combining stretching, strength training, massage, and heat or cold therapy to improve your strength, flexibility, and mobility over time. For most orthopedic surgeries, rehabilitation begins within days of the procedure. After a total knee replacement, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends exercising 20 to 30 minutes daily and walking 30 minutes two to three times daily during early recovery.
Procedures we support with post-surgery physical therapy
We provide personalized physical therapy to support recovery after orthopedic surgery. Our licensed therapists design tailored programs for common orthopedic procedures:
Knee replacement: Physical therapy after knee replacement helps restore joint strength, flexibility, and mobility while reducing stiffness and pain for a faster, safer recovery. After surgery, exercises can begin in the recovery room, and a full recovery takes several months of consistent work.
Hip replacement: Physical therapy for hip replacement focuses on improving strength, balance, and range of motion to help you walk comfortably and regain independence. According to Hospital for Special Surgery, most patients begin standing and walking with a walker the same day as surgery and return to most functional activities within six to eight weeks.
Rotator cuff surgery: Guided physical therapy after rotator cuff surgery rebuilds shoulder strength, restores function, and supports a pain-free return to everyday movement.
ACL surgery: Physical therapy after ACL surgery stabilizes the knee, rebuilds strength, and improves flexibility so you can safely return to sports and daily activity.
Spinal fusion surgery: Through targeted physical therapy after spinal fusion, we focus on posture, flexibility, and controlled movement to reduce pain and improve spinal stability.
If your procedure is not listed here, call us at 469-314-1369. There is a good chance we can help with your recovery.
Your post-surgery rehabilitation options at Get Set PT
Your treatment plan will pull from several approaches, each adapted for where you are in your recovery:
Manual therapy: hands-on joint mobilization and soft tissue work to reduce scar tissue, improve joint mobility, and address stiffness that develops after surgery
Therapeutic exercise: strengthening and flexibility work that progresses from gentle range-of-motion exercises to loaded strengthening as your body is ready
Gait and balance training: structured programs to help you walk safely and confidently, especially after lower-extremity procedures like knee or hip replacement
Dry needling: trigger point release for muscle tension and pain in areas compensating for the surgical site
Shockwave therapy: acoustic wave treatment to support tissue healing and reduce persistent pain during recovery
Medical massage therapy: targeted soft tissue work coordinated with your PT plan, used for post-surgical swelling and muscles that resist manual therapy alone
Modalities: electrical stimulation, ultrasound, kinesiology taping, and hot or cold therapy as needed
Home exercise programs: video-guided exercises assigned after each visit so you can continue strengthening and mobility work between sessions
As you hit benchmarks, your therapist adjusts the mix of exercises, intensity, and session frequency.
Call 469-314-1369 to schedule your evaluation.
Why patients choose Get Set Physical Therapy
Get Set Physical Therapy is not a high-volume clinic. Here is what that means for your recovery.
1-on-1 care every visit: you work directly with your physical therapist for the full session. We do not hand you off to aides or technicians. After surgery, this consistency matters. Your therapist knows your surgeon's protocol, your progress from last session, and how your body is responding.
A clear treatment philosophy: we focus on helping you recover through movement, hands-on therapy, and education. Our approach coordinates directly with your surgeon's post-operative guidelines to keep your rehabilitation on track.
An experienced team: Dr. Howie Barrett founded Get Set PT to provide care that stays with one therapist throughout your treatment. Our physical therapy team provides physical therapy, medical massage, and wellness services from a single location.
Readers' Choice award winner: Get Set PT earned the 2026 Rockwall Living Magazine Readers' Choice award for Physical Therapist.
"The Best! The most caring group of professionals you will ever meet. Dr. Howie listens. He not only develops an effective therapy plan, he considers the patient's personal goals and structures a program targeted at best outcomes. If you need physical therapy, this is the place to go."
Schedule post-surgery physical therapy in Rockwall
Get Set Physical Therapy & Wellness is located at 1205 N Goliad Street, Rockwall, TX 75087. We are open Monday through Friday, with early morning appointments starting at 7:30 AM.
Your first visit includes an evaluation of your surgical site, current range of motion, strength, and functional limitations. Your therapist builds a recovery plan aligned with your surgeon's protocols and your goals. Bring your post-operative instructions and any imaging to your first appointment.
Texas law allows you to start physical therapy without a physician referral. Under HB 29, you can begin treatment directly with a licensed physical therapist. If your surgeon has already referred you, your therapist uses that referral to align rehabilitation with your post-operative protocols.
Call 469-314-1369 or reach us at physicaltherapy@getsetpt.com to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I book post-surgery physical therapy at Get Set PT?
Call 469-314-1369 or visit our contact page to request an appointment. If your surgeon has already referred you, bring your post-operative instructions and any imaging reports to your first visit. We verify your benefits and let you know your expected cost before your first appointment.
Do I need a referral for post-surgery physical therapy?
Not necessarily. Texas HB 29 allows you to see a physical therapist without a physician referral for an initial evaluation and treatment period. Many patients after surgery already have a referral from their surgeon, which your therapist uses to align rehabilitation with post-operative protocols. Some insurance plans require a referral for coverage, so we check your specific plan before your first visit.
When should I start physical therapy after surgery?
Timing depends on the procedure. For joint replacements, physical therapy often begins the same day or within 24 to 48 hours of surgery. For soft tissue repairs like rotator cuff or ACL reconstruction, your surgeon typically sets a start date based on tissue healing. Your therapist coordinates directly with your surgeon's post-operative guidelines.
How long does post-surgery physical therapy take?
Recovery timelines vary by procedure and individual healing. After a knee or hip replacement, most patients work with a physical therapist for several months. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons notes that a full recovery from total knee replacement takes several months of consistent exercise. Ligament repairs and spinal procedures may follow a different schedule based on tissue healing rates.
Does insurance cover post-surgery physical therapy?
Most insurance plans cover physical therapy after orthopedic surgery when prescribed or referred by a physician. Coverage details, including the number of sessions and any copay, depend on your specific plan. Call 469-314-1369 and we can verify your benefits before your first appointment.
Our Location
OUR ADDRESS
Get Set Physical Therapy & Wellness
1205 N Goliad Street
Rockwall, TX 75087
Email: physicaltherapy@getsetpt.com
Tel: 469-314-1369
Fax: 214-276-1844
OUR HOURS
Monday and Thursday
7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday and Wednesday
7:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
7:30 AM - 1:30 PM
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER:
All information on this website is intended for instruction and informational purposes only. The authors are not responsible for any harm or injury that may result. Significant injury risk is possible if you do not follow due diligence and seek suitable professional advice about your injury. No guarantees of specific results are expressly made or implied on this website.