Pre & Post-Surgery Rehabilitation

Prehabilitation Before Surgery

If you are awaiting a surgical procedure, come and see us for expert guidance. Our prehabilitation programmes will help you recover faster and feel empowered ahead of your operation. Prehabilitation prepares you for surgery, and it is especially useful for those undergoing hip or knee replacements, hip, knee or shoulder arthroscopy or ACL reconstruction.

A pre-surgical physiotherapy assessment can identify areas of muscle weakness and functional limitations. These can be addressed with prehabilitation strategies. Preparing for surgery in this way reduces the risk of surgical complications and prepares your body for the healing process.

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Post-surgical Rehabilitation

Feel confident and in control

Recover rapidly after surgery with our structured rehabilitation programs. Our plans are tailored to restore movement, reduce pain, and minimise the risk of complications, ensuring a smoother and more complete recovery.

We support recovery from a wide range of surgical procedures, including joint replacement, knee and hip arthroscopy, ACL reconstruction, rotator cuff repair or Achilles tendon surgery.  Whether you’re recovering from major orthopaedic surgery or soft tissue repair, our expert physiotherapists guide you through a structured evidence-based rehab programme to optimise your recovery. Take control of your rehab and return to doing what you love.

Total Hip Replacement (THR) Prehabilitation

Prehabilitation is a pro-active approach to the run up to surgery. Physiotherapy can help to control your hip symptoms. A pre-surgical physio assessment prior to surgery can identify specific muscle weakness and deficits that can be targeted with precision treatment empowering you to feel in control, stronger and ahead of potential setbacks. If you are awaiting hip surgery, come and see us for expert guidance and optimisation.

Rehabilitation after THR
Recover rapidly after surgery with our experienced help. Our rehab is carefully designed to restore movement and confidence, reduce pain and prevent complications, ensuring you heal properly and return to the important activities in your life.

Rehab after Hip Arthroscopy
Whether you have undergone a hip arthroscopy or a soft tissue procedure to the hip such as a psoas release, gluteal tendon repair, our expert physio will guide you through a structured, evidence-based plan to optimise your recovery. We specialise in young adults with hip problems and have the experience to make your recovery structured, and stress free. We will help you return to strong, natural and carefree movement as well prevent complications such as adhesions.

Take control of your rehab and return to the activities and sports you love with experienced and professional support every step of the way. Take control of your rehab and return to the activities and sports you love with experienced and professional support every step of the way.

Rehab after Total Knee Replacement (TKR)

Are you recovering from a total knee replacement? At Vitalis, we offer expert physiotherapy for TKR recovery to help you re-gain strength, mobility and confidence in your knee.

Our tailored rehab programmes focus on reducing pain, improving flexibility and restoring function with a blend of hands on therapy, targeted exercises and progressive strengthening. Whether you are in the early stages of recovery or looking to enhance long term movement, our experienced approach will guide you every step of the way.

Recovery after knee arthroscopy or ACL reconstruction

Recovering from ACL reconstruction can feel like a long road, but having the right physiotherapy can make all the difference. At Vitalis, we create bespoke ACL rehab programmes, designed to regain strength, stability and confidence in your knee. Whether you are a weekend warrior or simply want to be pain free again, our approach will speed up recovery and help prevent re-injury.

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Prehab and rehab FAQs 

  • Prehabilitation is a proactive physiotherapy programme designed to prepare your body before surgery. It includes, base line measure, assessment of pre-existing deficits such as muscle weakness or lack of flexibility.  This allows a prehab’ programme to be designed often consisting of new movement strategies, strengthening exercises, mobility work, and targeted interventions to address muscle imbalances or weakness. This helps reduce the risk of complications, speeds up the healing process, and empowers you to feel stronger and more in control before your surgical procedure.

  • Physiotherapy is beneficial before and after many types of surgery, including:

    • Total hip replacement

    • Total knee replacement

    • ACL reconstruction or knee arthroscopy

    • Hip arthroscopy

    • Shoulder rotator cuff repairs

    • Achilles tendon surgeries

    We tailor your rehabilitation program to your specific needs and recovery goals.

  • Post-op physiotherapy focuses on:

    • Reducing pain and inflammation

    • Restoring movement, control and strength. 

    • Address muscle imbalances and dysfunction

    • Return safely to daily activities, work and sport

    Gentle manual and hands-on therapy is used to help soothe sore muscles and a rehab programme is prescribed that takes you through stage-appropriate exercises.  These progress in difficulty as you improve.


  • The frequency of your exercises depends on your specific condition and stage of recovery and healing. Initially, it is normal to do exercises every few hours to ‘wake’ the muscles up after surgery, minimise the risk of blood clots and manage discomfort.  As you heal and progress, you will move to once daily exercises.

Your Local Sports Physio in Watlington, Oxfordshire

Vitalis Physio is conveniently located at Watlington Wellness Centre, right in the heart of Watlington. Easily commutable from across South Oxfordshire and the Chilterns, with dedicated parking. Book your appointment with our expert sports physio today.

Email: info@vitalisphysio.com

Address: 1 Cuxham Road, Watlington, OX49 5JW

Phone: 07432 690233

Feel stronger, take control

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  • What Our Patients Say

    ‘I cannot thank Emma-Jane enough for her professional care. I have been suffering from a persistent sciatic nerve injury and had almost lost hope until I discovered Emma-Jane’s unique approach to treatment. By combining hands on treatment, exercise, dry needling and advice, she alleviated pain and restored my mobility. The professionalism, compassion and attention to detail she demonstrated throughout my treatment were phenomenal. I am extremely happy with the results and highly recommend her services to anyone in need of expert physiotherapy care.’

    Charlie, Whitchurch

  • What our Colleagues Say

    'As a Consultant Sports Physician working closely with athletes of all levels, I have high standards when referring patients for physiotherapy.  Emma-Jane's clinical expertise in musculoskeletal assessment and rehab is exceptional.  What truly sets her apart is her ability to blend evidence-based practice with a supportive compassionate approach and excellent communication.’

    Dr Rhodri Martin, Consultant in Sport and Exercise Medicine
    Team Doctor, Men’s National Team Football Association of Wales
    Lead Doctor, Welsh Institute of Sport 

  • What Our Patients Say

    I can’t recommend Emma-Jane Harding at Vitalis Physio highly enough. I have mild hip dysplasia in my right hip which became excruciatingly painful over the summer. Within just four weeks of seeing Emma, I was able to walk normally again, and I now continue to see her fortnightly as we work towards getting everything fully back to normal.

    Emma takes her profession very seriously and has an exceptional understanding of the body. Her attention to detail, focus, and the way she explains things have been phenomenal. What really makes the difference is not just seeing her, but also following the rehab she sets - it’s every bit as important as the sessions themselves.

    If you’re experiencing pain, I would wholeheartedly recommend going to see Emma-Jane. She’s been brilliant and has made a huge difference for me.

    James C

  • What Our Patients Say

    It was Emma-Jane’s expertise in hip and other conditions, together with her extensive experience that were the deciding factors in booking an appointment with her at Watlington Wellness Centre, after a painful hip had not eased after a few sessions with an osteopath (I now know I should have seen a physio!).

    I knew I was in safe, professional and thorough hands from the first appointment – Emma-Jane confirmed I had developed gluteal tendinopathy as a result of my outside hip muscles working overtime to compensate for weakness in my hip flexors, inner thigh muscles and hamstrings. She also wrote a letter for my GP requesting an X-ray. A few weeks on and my bespoke exercise plan, which she reviews and updates each session, plus soft tissue release and dry needling around my hip muscles has all made a difference and I am delighted that I am improving.

    I am so glad I found Emma-Jane and I highly recommend her.

    Sarah C

  • What Our Patients Say

    Highly recommend Emma-Jane, I have seen various practitioners for my neck and shoulder and Emma-Jane is the only one who has made a lasting difference. She uses a combination of hands on physical therapy, medical acupuncture and exercises to produce the desired result. She is also a very kind and understanding practitioner, who takes the time to listen to problems thoroughly without rushing and explains what she is doing at every step.

    Sarah D