PRE AND POST-SURGICAL REHABILITATION IN SOUTH KENSINGTON
How well you recover from surgery is decided partly before you go in. Patients who enter an operation stronger, fitter and with better movement consistently recover faster and more completely than those who don't — and the weeks before surgery are usually spent waiting rather than preparing.
Afterwards, the surgery fixes the structure. Rehabilitation restores the function. Strength, range of movement, control and confidence don't return on their own, and the gap between a technically successful operation and a genuinely good outcome is almost always the rehab.
Physiome is based inside Ethos Sports Centre in South Kensington, with gym and rehab space on site. Sessions are 30 minutes, one-to-one with a HCPC-registered physiotherapist. Our clinic regularly supports clients from Belgravia, Pimlico, Earl's Court, Notting Hill, Paddington, Marylebone, Soho, Fulham, Hammersmith, Shepherd's Bush, Mayfair, Covent Garden, and central London areas.
PREHABILITATION: BEFORE SURGERY
The aim is to arrive at your operation in the best condition possible.
- Building strength in the muscles that will weaken after surgery
- Maintaining and improving joint range of movement
- Learning your post-operative exercises in advance, while you're comfortable and can concentrate
- Practising crutches, transfers and movement patterns you'll need afterwards
- Improving general fitness to support recovery
- Understanding what the first days and weeks will actually involve
- Setting realistic expectations for the recovery timeline
Learning exercises before surgery matters more than people expect. Trying to master a new movement while sore, swollen and on painkillers is far harder than having already done it a hundred times.
REHABILITATION: AFTER SURGERY
Recovery is staged, and each stage has a job to do.
Early phase. Managing swelling and pain, protecting the repair, restoring basic range of movement, reactivating muscles that have switched off, and safe movement within your surgeon's restrictions.
Intermediate phase. Progressive strengthening, restoring full range, normalising walking and everyday movement, and rebuilding control and balance.
Late phase. Building capacity beyond baseline, sport or activity-specific work, addressing whatever contributed to the original problem, and progressing load in the gym.
Return phase. Objective testing against clear criteria, graded return to sport, work or activity, and a plan for maintaining what you've built.
We work within the protocol and restrictions set by your surgeon. If you have written post-operative instructions, bring them to your first appointment.
SURGERIES WE REHABILITATE
Knee
- ACL and other ligament reconstruction
- Meniscal repair and meniscectomy
- Knee replacement, partial and total
- Patellar and cartilage procedures
Hip
- Hip replacement
- Hip arthroscopy and impingement surgery
- Labral repair
Shoulder
- Rotator cuff repair
- Shoulder stabilisation and labral repair
- Subacromial decompression
- Shoulder replacement
Foot, ankle and lower limb
- Achilles tendon repair
- Ankle ligament reconstruction
- Bunion and forefoot surgery
- Fracture fixation
Spine
- Discectomy and microdiscectomy
- Spinal decompression
- Spinal fusion
Other
- Hernia repair
- Arthroscopic procedures at any joint
- Tendon repairs
WHY REHABILITATION MATTERS
Muscle weakens fast after surgery, and it doesn't come back on its own — quadriceps strength in particular can take a year or more to return fully after knee surgery, and often doesn't without structured work. Joints stiffen if not moved appropriately. Movement patterns change to protect the surgical site and stay changed long after they need to.
The consequences show up later: reinjury, pain in the opposite limb from compensating, and never quite getting back to what you did before. Most of it is preventable with the right rehabilitation at the right time.
Structured rehab also tells you something a timeline can't — whether you're actually ready. Weeks since surgery is not the same as capacity to return.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT YOUR FIRST APPOINTMENT
Appointments are 30 minutes at Ethos Sports Centre, South Kensington. Wear comfortable clothing allowing access to the surgical area.
Bring your operation notes, surgeon's post-operative protocol, any restrictions you've been given, and details of your follow-up appointments. If you're pre-surgery, bring whatever information you have about the planned procedure and date.
We'll assess your current state, discuss your goals and timeline, explain the stages ahead and start work. You'll leave with a plan and exercises to begin.
WHY PHYSIOME
- HCPC-registered and CSP-member physiotherapists
- Gym and rehab facilities on site for full-range progression
- Treatment within your surgeon's protocol and restrictions
- Objective criteria for progression, not arbitrary timelines
- 30-minute one-to-one sessions, never doubled up
- Convenient for South Kensington, Chelsea, Knightsbridge and Earl's Court
- Evening appointments available
FAQs
When should I start prehabilitation?
As early as possible — ideally six weeks or more before surgery, though even two or three weeks makes a difference. If you have a date, start now.
When should I start physiotherapy after surgery?
It depends on the procedure and your surgeon's instructions. Some surgeries need physiotherapy within days; others require a protected period first. Follow your surgeon's guidance, and if you're unsure, contact us and we'll advise.
Do I need a referral from my surgeon?
No, you can book directly. But do bring your operation notes and any post-operative protocol, as we'll work within them.
Will you liaise with my surgeon?
Where useful and with your consent, yes. If something in your recovery concerns us or falls outside the expected course, we'll flag it and recommend you go back to your surgeon.
How long does rehabilitation take?
It varies enormously by procedure. Knee replacement typically takes three to six months to reach a good functional level; ACL reconstruction commonly nine to twelve months before return to pivoting sport. We'll give you a realistic timeline for your specific surgery after assessment.
How many sessions will I need?
Surgical rehab is a longer process than most physiotherapy, often spanning months rather than weeks, though appointments usually become less frequent as you progress. We'll set out an expected structure at the start.
I had surgery a while ago and never did proper rehab. Is it too late?
Usually not. People make meaningful gains in strength and function years after surgery. It may take longer, but it's rarely too late to improve.
Can I do rehab at home instead?
Home exercise is a large part of it, and you'll be doing far more work outside the clinic than in it. What supervision adds is progression at the right time, correction of technique, and knowing whether you're ready for the next stage.
Do you accept private health insurance?
Yes, we work with major UK insurers. Post-operative physiotherapy is commonly covered. Confirm the number of sessions authorised before booking.