After many of the surgeries we perform as orthopedic surgeons, especially when we operate on athletes and active people, we have the patient work with a physical therapist. In this Ask Dr. Geier video, I answer the question of a reader who wonders if doing physical therapy is always necessary after a knee surgery.

Jimmy asks:
Is it possible to rehabilitate your knee after surgery without a physical therapist?

After a knee surgery, you must get your swelling down and regain your normal knee range of motion and leg strength. For some surgeries, like a partial meniscectomy, you might be able to achieve these goals on your own doing exercises at home every day. For other surgeries, like ACL reconstructions, it is much more difficult to achieve these goals on your own.

In this video, I explain when physical therapy is needed and when working with a physical therapist can help you return to what you do as quickly and safely as possible.

Also read:
Ask Dr. Geier – How can I fully recover after injury?
Ask Dr. Geier – Time to wait before physical activity after knee surgery

Physical therapy after knee surgery

Recommended Products and Resources
Click here to go to Dr. David Geier’s Amazon Influencer store!
Due to a large number of questions I have received over the years asking about products for health, injuries, performance, and other areas of sports, exercise, work and life, I have created an Amazon Influencer page. While this information and these products are not intended to treat any specific injury or illness you have, they are products I use personally, have used or have tried, or I have recommended to others. THE SITE MAY OFFER HEALTH, FITNESS, NUTRITIONAL AND OTHER SUCH INFORMATION, BUT SUCH INFORMATION IS DESIGNED FOR EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THE CONTENT DOES NOT AND IS NOT INTENDED TO CONVEY MEDICAL ADVICE AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE. YOU SHOULD NOT RELY ON THIS INFORMATION AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR, NOR DOES IT REPLACE, PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE, DIAGNOSIS, OR TREATMENT. THE SITE IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ACTIONS OR INACTION ON A USER’S PART BASED ON THE INFORMATION THAT IS PRESENTED ON THE SITE. Please note that as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.