Post-surgical rehabilitation in Polk County, FL
Post-surgical rehabilitation is physical therapy that helps you rebuild movement, strength and confidence after an operation, such as a joint replacement or a shoulder, knee or spine repair. We follow your surgeon's protocol at all three Core Rehabilitation clinics, in Lake Wales, Haines City and Winter Haven.
Reviewed by Joe Koloc, PT, MSPT, MBA, founder of Core Rehabilitation. Last reviewed: October 16, 2026
At a glance
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After: Joint replacement, ligament and tendon repairs, spine surgery and fracture repair
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Your plan: Built around your surgeon's protocol and precautions
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Where: All 3 clinics: Lake Wales, Haines City and Winter Haven
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Your visits: One-on-one with the same licensed physical therapist, start to finish
Overview
What is post-surgical rehabilitation?
Post-surgical rehabilitation is physical therapy after an operation. A licensed physical therapist follows your surgeon's instructions to protect the repair, then gradually rebuilds your movement, strength, balance and walking so you can get back to daily life, work and the activities you had surgery for.
Surgery repairs the joint or tissue. Rehabilitation helps you use it again. Swelling, stiffness, weakness and a worry about moving the wrong way are all normal in the weeks after an operation, and post-op physical therapy works through each one at a pace your body and your surgeon's timeline allow.
Rehabilitation can start before surgery, too. Building strength and learning your first exercises ahead of a planned operation, often called prehab, can make the early weeks easier to manage. If you haven't had surgery, orthopedic physical therapy covers joint, muscle and spine care without an operation.
Who it's for
Surgeries we help you recover from
We see people after planned operations and after surgery for an injury. Your therapist adapts the plan to your exact procedure and your surgeon's protocol.
Joint replacement
Total and partial knee replacement, hip replacement and shoulder replacement, from your first outpatient visit to stairs, longer walks and everyday tasks.
Total knee replacement
Partial knee replacement
Total hip replacement
Shoulder replacement
Knee, ankle and foot
ACL reconstruction, meniscus repair, knee arthroscopy, Achilles tendon repair and ankle fracture surgery, with a staged return to walking, stairs and activity.
ACL reconstruction
Ankle fracture
Achilles repair
Meniscus repair
Shoulder and elbow
Rotator cuff repair, labral repair, shoulder stabilization and elbow surgery, where protecting the repair early matters as much as regaining movement later.
Rotator cuff repair
Shoulder stabilization
Labral repair
Elbow surgery
Spine, hand and fractures
Recovery after spinal fusion, discectomy or laminectomy, carpal tunnel release, and surgery to repair a broken bone.
Spinal fusion
Fracture repair
Carpal tunnel release
Discectomy
Call your surgeon right away if you notice: a fever; increasing redness, warmth or drainage around the incision; or new pain and swelling in one calf. Call 911 for sudden shortness of breath or chest pain.
Who it's for
What recovery after surgery looks like
Every operation and every surgeon's protocol is different, so your timeline will be too. Most recoveries move through these four stages.
Before surgery
If your operation is planned, a few prehab visits build strength, teach your first exercises and help you get your home ready.
The first weeks
Protect the repair, calm swelling, regain early movement and walk safely, often with a walker, crutches or a cane at first.
Rebuilding
Progress strength, balance and range of motion, and work toward walking without an aid once your surgeon says it's safe.
Back to your life
Stairs, longer walks, work tasks and hobbies, practiced in the clinic before you return to them, on your surgeon's timeline.
Your care
What's included in post-surgical rehabilitation
Your plan follows your surgeon's protocol and your evaluation, and usually includes the following.
A protocol-guided evaluation. We review your operation, precautions and protocol, then check swelling, movement, strength, balance and walking.
Range-of-motion work. Guided exercises to get back the bend, straightening or reach your surgeon is aiming for.
Balance and walking training. From walker to cane to walking on your own, plus stairs and getting up from low chairs.
Swelling and pain management. Ice, positioning and gentle movement to settle swelling, so you can do more at each visit.
Progressive strengthening. Exercises that start gentle and build steadily, because strength is what makes a new joint or repair feel reliable.
Hands-on care and a home program. Gentle manual therapy for stiffness and scar tissue where your surgeon allows it, and a short routine to do between visits.
Do I need a referral for post-op physical therapy?
No. In Florida you can start physical therapy without a physician's referral. Florida Statute §486.021 allows a physical therapist to treat you for up to 30 days without one.
What happens at your first visit after surgery?
We start by reviewing your operation, your surgeon's protocol and how the first days at home have gone. A first visit usually takes about 45 to 60 minutes.
After surgery, though, most people bring their surgeon's prescription and protocol, which tells us exactly what's safe for your repair and when. Our front desk also checks your insurance plan's referral rules before your first visit.
Review your surgery. The procedure, your precautions and what your surgeon wants you to avoid for now.
Gentle checks. Swelling, the area around your incision, movement, strength and how you're walking.
Your findings, explained. Where you are against the usual timeline for your surgery, in plain language.
Your plan. How often to come in, plus a few safe exercises to start at home.
Working with your surgeon
Your therapist follows your surgeon's precautions and timeline, and keeps your surgeon's office updated on your progress. If something doesn't look right, such as swelling that's getting worse, we contact your surgeon.
Where to find it
Post-surgical rehabilitation at all three of our clinics
Looking for post-op physical therapy near you? Choosing the clinic closest to home makes it easier to keep up with visits in the first weeks, when you may not be driving yet. Every clinic offers the same post-surgical care.
Lake Wales
Post-surgical rehabilitation in Lake Wales
2031 State Rd 60 East, Lake Wales, FL 33898
Mon–Fri 8:00–12:00 & 1:00–5:00
Haines City
Post-surgical rehabilitation in Haines City
50 Maxcy Plaza Circle, Haines City, FL 33844
Mon–Fri 8:00–12:00 & 1:00–5:00
Winter Haven
Post-surgical rehabilitation in Winter Haven
3017 Cypress Gardens Rd, Winter Haven, FL 33884
Mon–Fri 9:00–12:00 & 1:00–5:00
Why it works
Why starting physical therapy early matters
For knee replacement, the American Physical Therapy Association's guideline recommends starting physical therapy soon after surgery and building up to challenging strength training early, with a therapist supervising.
The guideline, published in 2020, recommends beginning physical therapy within 24 hours of a knee replacement, usually while you're still in the hospital, and starting high-intensity strength training within the first week. It also recommends balance and walking training to help with everyday activities, supervised physical therapy in a setting chosen around your safety and needs, and exercise before surgery to build strength and flexibility.
Other operations follow the protocol your surgeon sets. Results differ from person to person, and your therapist will tell you what's realistic after your first visit and contact your surgeon if anything needs medical attention.
Sources: Jette DU, et al. Physical Therapist Management of Total Knee Arthroplasty. Physical Therapy, 2020 (American Physical Therapy Association clinical practice guideline).
Keep exploring
Related care and next steps
Orthopedic physical therapy
Joint, muscle and spine care without surgery.
Vestibular and balance therapy
balance and fall-risk training at all three clinics.
Find your clinic
Lake Wales, Haines City, and Winter Haven.
Start without a referral
Florida direct access, insurance and your first visit.
Frequently asked questions
Book your visit
Plan your recovery with us
Tell us which clinic suits you and when you're free. We'll call to set up your first visit, check your insurance and tell you what to bring from your surgeon.
Lake Wales · 863-678-0705
Haines City · 863-421-2000
Winter Haven · 863-268-6523