HOW WE HELP

Post-Operative & Return to Sport Rehabilitation

Returning to normal activity or sport following surgery requires a structured and progressive rehabilitation programme. At Prana Sports Injury Clinic, we work with you through the different stages of recovery, helping restore movement, rebuild strength and progressively prepare your body for the demands of everyday activity, training and sport.

Rehabilitation is tailored around your procedure, current stage of recovery, surgical guidance and individual goals, with progression based on how you are recovering rather than simply how much time has passed.

We can support rehabilitation following a range of musculoskeletal procedures, including:

  • ACL and other knee surgery
  • Meniscal surgery
  • Shoulder surgery
  • Hip surgery
  • Ankle and foot surgery
  • Tendon and ligament repair
  • Fracture rehabilitation following appropriate medical clearance
  • Other orthopaedic and sports-related procedures

Our Approach to Post-Operative Rehabilitation

Your rehabilitation begins with an assessment of where you are in your recovery and what you ultimately need to return to.

Your programme may include:

  • Assessment of joint movement, strength and function
  • Progressive range-of-motion exercises
  • Rebuilding muscle strength following surgery or inactivity
  • Balance and proprioception training
  • Progressive resistance and functional exercise
  • Movement and functional testing
  • Sport-specific rehabilitation
  • Gradual reintroduction to gym and training activities
  • Return-to-running and change-of-direction work where appropriate
  • Objective strength and functional testing to help guide progression
  • Ongoing reassessment and adjustment of your programme
  • Progressive preparation for return to activity, training and sport

Where you’ve been given a rehabilitation protocol or specific restrictions by your surgeon or hospital team, we’ll work within those recommendations.

The goal isn’t simply to reach the end of your rehabilitation programme — it’s to help you develop the strength, movement and physical capacity required for what you actually want to return to.

After this, that gives us the six major services. We can then decide whether Return to Sport / Strength & Conditioning deserves its own additional page rather than being combined with post-operative rehabilitation.

Book an Initial Assessment

Method We Follow to Help You Recover

Post-operative rehabilitation is a progressive process. Your programme will be tailored around your surgery, current stage of recovery, any guidance from your surgical team and the activities you want to return to.

Your Sports Rehabilitator will:

  • Assess your current range of motion, strength, movement and function
  • Review any post-operative guidance or rehabilitation protocol provided by your surgeon
  • Develop an individual rehabilitation programme based on your goals
  • Address muscle weakness, joint stiffness and movement restrictions
  • Progressively rebuild strength around the affected area
  • Improve balance, stability and proprioception where required
  • Gradually introduce functional and weight-bearing exercises
  • Progress rehabilitation from basic movements towards more demanding activities
  • Introduce running, jumping, landing and change-of-direction work where appropriate
  • Incorporate sport-specific exercises and movement patterns
  • Use strength and functional testing to monitor progress
  • Gradually increase training demands as your recovery progresses
  • Regularly reassess your rehabilitation and adjust your programme

Our aim is to bridge the gap between recovering from surgery and being physically ready to return to the activities or sport you enjoy, with each stage progressed according to your individual recovery.

Our Advice to Help You Progress

Recovery following surgery takes time, and progress should be gradual, structured and appropriate to your stage of healing. Consistency with your rehabilitation is one of the most important parts of getting back to activity successfully.

  • Follow any restrictions or guidance provided by your surgeon or hospital team
  • Complete your rehabilitation exercises as prescribed
  • Stay active within the limits appropriate to your stage of recovery
  • Avoid progressing exercises simply because pain has reduced
  • Gradually rebuild strength, mobility and physical capacity
  • Allow adequate recovery between rehabilitation and training sessions
  • Prioritise good sleep, hydration and a balanced diet
  • Monitor how your body responds as activity levels increase
  • Don’t rush running, jumping or higher-level activities before you’re ready
  • Progress towards sport-specific movements and training demands before returning fully
  • Continue strength and conditioning work after returning to activity

The goal isn’t simply to return — it’s to return prepared for the physical demands of your sport or activity.