Rehabilitation after orthopaedic surgery
Post-Surgery Physiotherapy in Singapore
Physiotherapy after surgery rebuilds the movement, strength and confidence you need to get back to normal life, one stage at a time and always within your surgeon's instructions. Benchmark Physio provides one-to-one post-surgery rehabilitation at our Bukit Timah clinic and at home across Singapore.
- APA Titled expertise
- One-to-one sessions
- Clinic in Bukit Timah, home visits across Singapore
- Direct billing with selected insurers
Reviewed by Ng Hong Kai, Chief Physiotherapist. Last reviewed October 2026.
Post-surgery physiotherapy at a glance
- Clinic
- Benchmark Physio, 557 Bukit Timah Road, #02-03, Crown Centre, Singapore 269694
- Opening hours
- Tuesday and Thursday 11am to 8pm. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 9am to 6pm. Closed on Monday and Sunday.
- Fees
- $210 for a 45-minute clinic session. $320 for a 45-minute home visit. $100 for a 30-minute online session.
- Referral
- You do not usually need a doctor's referral.
- Direct billing
- Mednefits, DA Adept Health, IHP Healthcare, Make Health Connect, Alliance Medinet and Raffles Health Insurance.
- Booking
- Book online or WhatsApp +65 8836 8526.
What does physiotherapy after surgery involve?
Physiotherapy after surgery is a staged programme of movement, exercise and hands-on treatment that helps you regain range of motion, strength and everyday function while the repair heals. It follows your surgeon's protocol, and you move to the next stage when you meet the criteria for it, not when the calendar says so.
The operation fixes the structure. It does not restore the movement around it. A protected limb loses muscle quickly, swelling and stiffness build up, your walking pattern changes, and many people become wary of using the joint at all. Rehabilitation deals with each of these in a sensible order.
What we work on
- Swelling, scar mobility and pain, so the area settles and moves more freely.
- Range of motion, within the limits your surgeon has set.
- Strength, starting with the muscles that switch off after surgery, such as the quadriceps after knee surgery.
- Walking, stairs and balance, including coming off crutches or a frame safely.
- Return to work, hobbies and sport, judged against clear tests.
Sessions combine therapeutic exercise with hands-on techniques such as joint mobilisation and soft tissue work. Where it is suitable, we also use dry needling and electrophysical agents such as neuromuscular electrical stimulation or ultrasound. Anything near the surgical site waits until your surgeon's protocol allows it.
Surgeries we rehabilitate
- Knee
- ACL reconstruction, meniscus repair, partial and total knee replacement. Knee pain physiotherapy
- Hip
- Total hip replacement and hip arthroscopy. Hip pain physiotherapy
- Shoulder
- Rotator cuff repair, stabilisation surgery and shoulder replacement. Shoulder pain physiotherapy
- Foot and ankle
- Achilles tendon repair, ankle fracture fixation, ligament reconstruction and bunion surgery. Ankle and foot pain physiotherapy
- Spine
- Lumbar discectomy and decompression. Lower back pain physiotherapy
- Elbow and wrist
- Fracture fixation and ligament reconstruction. Elbow pain physiotherapy
We focus on orthopaedic and musculoskeletal surgery. If your operation is not listed, message us with its name and we will tell you whether we are the right fit.
When should physiotherapy start after surgery?
Usually within a day or two, and often in hospital. After a hip or knee replacement you will normally be up and walking with a physiotherapist on the day of surgery or the day after. After some repairs, such as a rotator cuff repair or an ankle fracture fixation, outpatient physiotherapy may not start for two to six weeks. Your surgeon wants the repair protected first.
You do not need to wait for your surgical review to see us. If you have been discharged with instructions, bring them along. In the early weeks we can help with swelling, safe walking and stairs, setting up your home, and the exercises you are allowed to do. We will tell you plainly what has to wait and why.
If your operation is planned, a visit beforehand is worth having. We can teach you to use crutches or a frame, show you the exercises you will start on day one, and talk through your first weeks at home. NICE guidance on joint replacement recommends that people having a hip or knee replacement are given advice on preoperative rehabilitation.
The four phases of recovery after surgery
Most recoveries move through four overlapping phases. The week ranges below are a general guide only. Your surgeon's protocol decides what is allowed and when, and some operations, such as ACL reconstruction and rotator cuff repair, run much longer than others.
Phase 1: days 0 to 14
Protect and settle
Control swelling and pain, protect the repair and keep the rest of the body moving. You learn to walk, sit, stand and sleep safely, and you do only the movements your surgeon has approved.
Phase 2: weeks 2 to 8
Restore movement
Range of motion returns and your walking pattern settles. You come off crutches or a frame once you can walk without a limp, and the first light strengthening begins.
Phase 3: weeks 6 to 16
Rebuild strength
Progressive strength work, balance training and stairs. This phase decides how well the joint copes with real life, so it is worth doing properly.
Phase 4: months 3 to 12
Return to full activity
Work-specific or sport-specific conditioning, then tests of strength, hopping, lifting or reach. You go back to heavy work or sport when you pass them, not on a fixed date.
How long does recovery take after common operations?
From a few weeks to a year, depending on the operation. A knee or hip replacement usually takes several months to recover from fully. ACL reconstruction, rotator cuff repair and Achilles tendon repair take six to twelve months before you are back to full sport or heavy work.
The table summarises published NHS patient guidance. Treat it as a guide only. Your own timeline depends on the technique used, the size of the repair, your health beforehand and your surgeon's protocol. The sources are listed at the foot of this page.
| Operation | First weeks | Milestones to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Total knee replacement | You are helped to walk soon after the operation, with crutches or a frame at first. Early targets are bending the knee and straightening it fully. | Many people try walking without an aid at about 6 weeks. Driving usually waits until at least 6 weeks, and your doctor should confirm you are fit to drive. Full recovery can take several months or longer. |
| Total hip replacement | You are helped to walk as soon as possible after the operation, usually with a frame or crutches at first. Follow any hip precautions your surgeon sets. | Driving usually waits until at least 6 weeks. Many people return to work at around 6 weeks, depending on the job. It may take several months to recover fully. |
| ACL reconstruction | Crutches for a week or two. The priorities are straightening the knee fully and getting the quadriceps working again. | Jogging usually starts at around 12 to 16 weeks, once swelling, movement and strength allow. Return to pivoting sport is usually 9 months or later, after passing strength and hop tests. |
| Meniscus repair | Crutches or limited weight-bearing for several weeks, often up to 6, with knee bend restricted early on. Protocols vary with the type of tear. | Deep squatting is usually avoided until about 12 weeks, and physiotherapy continues for several months before sport. A simple trim (partial meniscectomy) is much quicker, with running usually avoided for about 6 weeks. |
| Rotator cuff repair | A sling for about 4 to 6 weeks. Movement is passive at first, which means someone else, or your other arm, moves the shoulder. | Active movement from about 6 to 8 weeks and strengthening from about 12 weeks. Heavy lifting and manual work usually wait 4 to 6 months. Full recovery can take up to a year. |
| Achilles tendon repair | A walking boot, often with heel wedges removed in stages, for roughly 8 to 10 weeks. | Calf strength and walking are rebuilt as the boot comes off. Running is usually possible at about 6 months and full sport at about 9 months. |
| Ankle fracture fixation | A cast or boot, with weight-bearing rules that depend on the fracture and your surgeon. Pain and swelling are usually worst in the first two weeks. | Swelling can persist for 6 to 9 months. Pain, swelling and function can keep improving for more than a year. |
| Lumbar discectomy or decompression | Walking from the day after surgery. Lifting is limited, often to under 10 kg, for 4 to 6 weeks. | Desk work often resumes at about 4 to 6 weeks and heavier work at 8 to 12 weeks. Staying active early on is encouraged, within your surgeon's limits. |
Why we do not rush the last stage
In a study of 106 sporting patients after ACL reconstruction, the rate of knee reinjury fell by 51% for each month that return to sport was delayed. This held up to nine months after surgery. Better quadriceps strength before returning also lowered the risk (Grindem and others, British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2016). That is why we progress you on test results rather than dates.
What happens at your first appointment?
We start with your paperwork, then assess how the area is moving, how strong it is and how you are walking. You leave with a plan you can follow at home, including exercises you can do safely and a clear idea of what to avoid.
We review your documents. Your operation note or discharge summary, any rehabilitation protocol from your surgeon, and scan reports.
We listen. Your operation, your pain and sleep, your home set-up, your job, and what you want to get back to.
We assess. Swelling, scar, range of motion, strength, walking and balance, compared with your other side where we can.
We treat. Hands-on care and your first exercises, kept within your surgeon's limits.
We plan. Goals, what is safe and what to avoid, and how often to come back.
What to bring
Bring your discharge summary or operation note, your surgeon's protocol if you have one, scan reports, and the walking aid you are using. Wear clothes that let us see the joint: shorts for the knee or hip, a vest or loose top for the shoulder.
Do you need supervised physiotherapy after surgery?
Not everyone needs months of supervised sessions. After a straightforward procedure, such as a simple knee arthroscopy, many people recover well on the exercise sheet they were given in hospital. Supervised physiotherapy matters most when the repair needs protecting for weeks, when progress stalls, or when you need to get back to heavy work or sport.
NICE guidance on hip, knee and shoulder replacement takes a similar view. It says people should get rehabilitation advice suited to their needs before they leave hospital. It also says some people should be offered supervised outpatient rehabilitation instead of a self-directed programme alone.
You are more likely to benefit from supervised physiotherapy if
- You have had a repair or reconstruction, such as an ACL, rotator cuff, Achilles or meniscus repair, where the order and timing of loading matter.
- Your surgeon has restricted movement or weight-bearing for several weeks and you want to be sure what is safe.
- Your stiffness, swelling or weakness is not improving as the weeks go by.
- You live alone, face stairs at home, or need to be back at a physical job or sport by a particular date.
- You are avoiding the joint because you are worried about damaging it.
If you are walking comfortably after a minor procedure and simply want your programme checked, tell us when you book. A single session may be all you need.
When to call your surgeon or get urgent help
Some symptoms after surgery need medical attention rather than physiotherapy. If you are unsure, call your surgeon's office. We would rather you checked.
Call 995 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have
- Sudden chest pain, sudden shortness of breath, or coughing up blood. These can be signs of a blood clot in the lung.
Contact your surgeon the same day if you notice
- A calf that is painful, swollen, warm or red, which can be a sign of a blood clot in the leg.
- A fever of 38°C or above, or a wound that is red, hot, leaking or opening.
- Pain or swelling that suddenly gets worse and does not ease with rest and elevation.
- New numbness, pins and needles, or a foot or hand that turns pale or cold.
- A pop, the joint giving way, or a sudden inability to use the limb as you could the day before.
- After a hip replacement, sudden severe hip pain, especially if the leg looks shorter or turned, which can mean a dislocation.
Clinic, home or online: where should you have physiotherapy after surgery?
Most people start at the clinic once they can travel comfortably. If getting here is the main obstacle, for example after a recent operation on your leg, we offer home visits. Online sessions suit exercise reviews and progress checks.
At our Bukit Timah clinic
A 45-minute session costs $210. We are at 557 Bukit Timah Road, #02-03, Crown Centre, Singapore 269694. It is a 6-minute walk from Tan Kah Kee MRT (Downtown line) and 8 minutes from Botanic Gardens MRT (Circle and Downtown lines). There is parking off King's Road and a drop-off point at the front of the building. The car park reaches Level 1 by stairs only. If stairs are difficult, tell us when you book and we will plan your visit or arrange a home session.
At home
A 45-minute home visit costs $320. It is designed for people who find it hard to get to the clinic after a recent lower limb operation, and we visit across Singapore. Read more about home physiotherapy.
Online
A 30-minute online session costs $100. It suits exercise reviews and progress checks, or times when you cannot get to the clinic. Read more about online physiotherapy.
How we approach post-surgery rehabilitation
We start from your surgeon's instructions, work one-to-one, and move you on when you meet the criteria for the next stage.
Your surgeon's plan comes first
We read your operation note and protocol before we start, and we never push past the limits they set. If something is unclear, we ask your surgeon.
Criteria, not dates
You progress when swelling, movement, strength and walking quality allow it. We measure these, so the decision rests on numbers as well as how it feels.
Strength is the centre of it
Good results after surgery depend on rebuilding the muscles around the joint. Our lead physiotherapist is an APA Titled Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist and a tertiary-trained Exercise Scientist, so loading and conditioning are central to how we work.
One-to-one care
Sessions are one-to-one, so your programme is built around your operation, your home and your work rather than a standard sheet.
Every physiotherapist at the clinic is registered with the Allied Health Professions Council, Singapore.
How much does post-surgery physiotherapy cost in Singapore?
A 45-minute session costs $210 at our clinic and $320 at your home. A 30-minute online session costs $100. Each fee covers the interview, assessment and treatment.
| Service | Length | Fee | What it includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinic physiotherapy session | 45 minutes | $210 | Patient interview, physical assessment and treatment, which may include therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, dry needling and electrophysical agents. |
| Home physiotherapy | 45 minutes | $320 | For people who find it hard to reach the clinic after a recent lower limb operation. |
| Online tele-physiotherapy | 30 minutes | $100 | For people who prefer to consult remotely or cannot get to the clinic. |
The full price list is on our fees page.
Insurance and direct billing
We offer direct billing (cashless) with Mednefits, DA Adept Health, IHP Healthcare, Make Health Connect, Alliance Medinet and Raffles Health Insurance. See our insurance partners page for details.
If you have an Integrated Shield Plan, check your post-hospitalisation benefits. Many plans cover treatment related to a hospital stay, including physiotherapy, for a set period after discharge. The length of that period varies between insurers and plans, and some attach conditions such as a panel clinic, a doctor's letter or pre-approval. Check your policy before your first visit. We can give you a time chit confirming your attendance. It is not a medical certificate, which has to come from a doctor.
Frequently asked questions about post-surgery physiotherapy
When should physiotherapy start after surgery?
How long will I need physiotherapy after surgery?
Do I need a doctor's referral for post-surgery physiotherapy in Singapore?
Will physiotherapy after surgery hurt?
Is it normal to have swelling and stiffness weeks after surgery?
Do you offer home physiotherapy after surgery?
How much does post-surgery physiotherapy cost in Singapore, and can I claim it on insurance?
Can physiotherapy make my recovery faster?
Book your post-surgery assessment
Tell us what operation you have had and when. We will tell you what is safe to start now and what needs to wait.
Benchmark Physio, 557 Bukit Timah Road, #02-03, Crown Centre, Singapore 269694
Call or WhatsApp +65 8836 8526. Email info@benchmarkphysio.com. Get directions.
Tuesday and Thursday 11am to 8pm. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 9am to 6pm. Closed on Monday and Sunday.
Sources
The recovery ranges on this page come from the patient guidance and studies below. Protocols differ between surgeons and hospitals, so your own instructions take priority. Last reviewed October 2026.
- Recovering from a knee replacement. NHS
- Recovering from a hip replacement. NHS
- ACL physiotherapy protocol. Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust
- Grindem H and others. Simple decision rules can reduce reinjury risk by 84% after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: the Delaware-Oslo ACL cohort study. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2016
- Meniscus repair surgery. Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust
- Post-operative meniscectomy. Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust
- Rotator cuff repair: after surgery care. University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
- Rotator cuff repair. South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre
- Achilles tendon repair or reconstruction. Nuffield Health
- Advice and information following ankle fracture surgery. Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
- Rehabilitation after lumbar discectomy, microdiscectomy and decompressive laminectomy. Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Joint replacement (primary): hip, knee and shoulder. NICE guideline NG157
- Joint replacement quality standard, statement 5: postoperative rehabilitation. NICE QS206
Meet Our Physiotherapist
Ng Hong Kai also provides dedicated post-surgery rehab programs. With his in-depth understanding of anatomy and surgical procedures, he helps clients recover safely and effectively after operations like joint replacements, ACL reconstruction, and rotator cuff repair. His hands-on physiotherapy approach addresses range of motion, strength, and function to facilitate healing and achieve optimal outcomes.
Ready to embark on a journey towards better musculoskeletal health free from pain? Schedule your consultation with us today.