Healing after injury or surgery involves more than rest—it demands movement, technique, and progressive challenges that help the body rebuild strength, range of motion, and function. Physical therapists apply biomechanical insight, neuromuscular re-education, and patient motivation to restore musculoskeletal performance after fractures, joint replacements, or chronic pain conditions. Their interventions are deeply customized, taking into account the individual’s goals, baseline capacity, and healing timeline.
Collaboration between orthopedic teams and physical therapists is essential for achieving successful outcomes. Post-surgical rehabilitation protocols are carefully designed to support healing without compromising the surgical site, while early intervention for non-surgical cases can often prevent the need for operative care altogether. Therapists use modalities ranging from manual therapy and dry needling to resistance training and aquatic rehabilitation. They also track functional benchmarks that indicate readiness for activities like returning to work, sports, or daily living routines. In recent years, virtual PT programs and wearable technologies have extended care beyond clinic walls, enabling more consistent engagement and real-time feedback. Physical therapists play a transformative role in orthopedics by translating structural repair into practical recovery. Their work ensures that healing is not just anatomical, but functional and enduring.
Title : A data driven approach to prehabilitation and rehabilitation for hip and knee replacement patients
Diana Hodgins, Dynamic Metrics Ltd, United Kingdom
Title : Selective denervation for persistent knee pain after total knee arthroplasty: Long-term outcomes
Shaomin Shi, Medical College of Wisconsin, United States
Title : Stem cell treatment is effective and safe for arthritis of the knee and shoulder and for back and neck pain
Chadwick C Prodromos, Rush University, United States
Title : The effect of OTC N-acetyl-cysteine on cobaltemia and cobalturia from cobalt-chromium orthopedic implants
Stephen S Tower, University of Alaska Anchorage, United States
Title : The etiological diagnosis of torticollis
Ali Al Kaissi, Ilizarov Institute, Austria
Title : Acute Traumatic Spinal Cord Injuries(TSCI) – Is the current standard of care evidence based?
W S El Masri, Keele University, United Kingdom