Post-Surgical Rehab: Getting Athletes Back to Peak Form
By Dr Ian Gatt | PhD SLA MSc OMT MCMI MAACP MCSP HCPC BSc (Hons)
Head of Performance Services | GB Boxing & UK Sport Institute
For any athlete, surgery can feel like hitting pause on everything — performance, progress, even identity. But with the right rehabilitation strategy, post-surgical recovery isn’t just about getting back — it’s about coming back stronger.
Sports physiotherapists play a critical role in bridging the gap between surgery and full performance. Post-op rehab is where the real work begins — rebuilding strength, mobility, confidence, and function step by step.
Rehab Isn’t a Linear Journey
Contrary to popular belief, recovery doesn’t follow a straight line. Setbacks, plateaus, and psychological hurdles are common — and expected. That’s why post-surgical rehab must be highly individualised, constantly adapted to the athlete’s condition, pain levels, and performance goals.
Whether it’s a knee ACL reconstruction, shoulder labral repair, or fracture fixations, physiotherapists provide a roadmap through each phase of recovery — from passive mobility to explosive return-to-play drills.
Key Stages of Post-Surgical Rehab
While every rehab plan is unique, most follow a progressive structure:
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Protect and Mobilise – Focus on pain management, reducing inflammation, and restoring early range of motion.
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Restore Strength and Function – Begin reloading tissues safely, working on neuromuscular control and correcting movement patterns.
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Sport-Specific Conditioning – Rebuild explosive movements, coordination, and endurance under game-like conditions.
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Return to Play – Ensure physical benchmarks, movement quality, and psychological readiness all align before clearance.
Throughout this process, sports physios monitor progress with objective measures (i.e. force and range of motion) and functional tests (e.g. throwing/stability testing, hop/jump/balance assessments) to make informed decisions.
The Physio-Athlete Partnership
Post-surgical rehab isn’t something done to the athlete — it’s something they actively participate in. The relationship between physio and athlete is built on trust, communication, and a shared commitment to the long game.
Physios:
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Set pragmatic timescales for return to activities
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Educate athletes on expectations
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Monitor workload and signs of overtraining
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Adapt plans based on daily performance and feedback
And perhaps most importantly, they help athletes rebuild confidence — both in their body and in their ability to return to full competition.
Beyond Healing: A Chance to Improve
Many athletes report returning from surgery fitter, stronger, and more resilient than before. That’s the true potential of a great physiotherapy-athlete relationship. It’s not about restoring what was lost, but uncovering new levels of performance by addressing inefficiencies (i.e. risk factors) that contributed to the injury in the first place.
Physiotherapy as a Launchpad, Not a Crutch
Surgery may stop you for a moment, but it doesn’t have to define your season — or your career. With expert physiotherapy guiding the journey, athletes can not only recover, but transform.
Stay tuned to Science Behind Sport as we continue exploring how sports physio supports long-term performance and athlete wellbeing — and how recovery can become one of the most powerful phases of growth in your sporting life.
