Physiotherapy and occupational therapy

The orthopaedic therapy team consists of physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and therapy assistants, who will help patients with their recovery following orthopaedic surgery,

Physiotherapists will give advice and teach exercises to help your joint recover from surgery and they can refer for outpatient physiotherapy appointments when needed, to help guide your recovery and return to activity. They will also assess and support patients with their walking after surgery to the leg or foot. They often provide walking aids to help with this, such as crutches or a walking frame.

Occupational therapists will look at how you will manage day-to-day tasks after surgery. Activities such as washing, dressing, and cooking may be difficult in the recovery period after your surgery, so they may provide equipment or suggest a different way of doing a task to allow you to remain independent.

Walking after your orthopaedic surgery

If you have an operation to your leg or foot, the physiotherapists will review you after your surgery. They will let you know how much weight you will be able to take through your operated leg and will ensure you can walk safely. In most cases you will need to use a Zimmer frame or elbow crutches after surgery. The physiotherapists will provide you with these and show you how to use them. You will have chance to practise with them on the ward before going home.

This video will show you how to walk with crutches if you are allowed to take weight through your leg.

The physiotherapists can also show you how to go up and down a step or a flight of stairs before you go home. This video will also show you how to do this.

Weight bearing status

After your operation the surgeon will specify how much weight they wish you to put on your operated leg. These instructions must be strictly followed to make sure your surgery does not fail. Your physiotherapist will advise you of your weight bearing status after surgery, following consultation with your surgeon. Your physiotherapist will also practice moving around with you, so that you know you will manage at home. The different weight bearing statuses are outlined below.

Non weight bearing:

You must not put any weight through the operated leg. This includes when standing up and sitting down, as well as walking. We have a specific information leaflet for this. An occupational therapist will visit you on the ward to discuss managing at home.

Touch weight bearing:

When standing or walking, the foot can touch the floor, but you should not put any weight through it. You will need to use a walking frame or elbow crutches every time you walk.

Partial weight bearing:

You can take some weight through your operated leg but not all your weight. This can be up to 50% of your weight but no more. The rest of the weight goes through your arms onto crutches or a walking frame. You will need to use a walking frame or two crutches every time you walk.

Heel weight bearing:

Weight can be put through the heel of your operated foot, but you should not put weight through the front of your foot or toes. Crutches or walking sticks can be used to help you with your balance.

Full weight bearing:

You can put as much weight as you feel comfortable with through your leg and foot. Initially you may need a walking aid for comfort and balance, but you can reduce and stop using these when you feel able.

Patient videos

There are several short videos produced by the orthopaedic therapy team. You may wish to watch these before surgery to familiarise yourself with how to do things after surgery.

Total knee replacement

• Knee replacement- early exercises

• Knee replacement -advanced exercises

• Using ice packs after knee surgery

• Walking with crutches

• Walking up and down stairs following your operation

Unicompartmental knee replacement

• Unicompartmental knee replacement- early exercises

• Unicompartmental knee replacement - advanced exercises

• Using ice packs after knee surgery

• Walking with crutches

• Walking up and down stairs following your operation

Total hip replacement

• Hip replacement- early exercises

• Hip replacement -advanced exercises

• Walking with crutches

• Walking up and down stairs following your operation

• Getting in and out of a car after a total hip replacement

• Getting in and out of bed after a hip replacement

• Hip precautions

• Lower half dressing

• Furniture height measurement 

Knee arthroscopy

• Knee arthroscopy exercises

• Walking with crutches

• Walking up and down stairs following your operation

Shoulder surgery

• How to use your shoulder sling

• Hygiene, dressing, and sleeping when wearing a shoulder sling

Attending outpatient appointments after your surgery.

After most orthopaedic surgeries you will be unable to drive for a short period. Please consider who will be able to take you to appointments while you cannot drive. You may need to attend your GP practice or the orthopaedic department to have your wound reviewed/stitches removed at about two weeks following surgery. You may need to attend outpatient physiotherapy from one to two weeks following surgery. Where possible this will be arranged at your closest hospital providing outpatient physiotherapy. There may be several appointments. You may also need to return to the orthopaedic outpatient department at six weeks for a review with your surgeon's team to check on your recovery.

Please speak to friends and family members to help you to get to these appointments. Alternatively, many areas have a local neighbour car scheme, or some taxi firms provide a discount to hospital appointments. You may be unable to get a bus initially, until you can walk a good distance outside.

Returning equipment

If you have been loaned any therapy equipment listed below, please return it when you no longer need it.

• Zimmer frames

• Elbow crutches

• Toilet frames and seats

• Kitchen trolleys

• Perching stools

• Bed levers

• Adjustable walking sticks

• Chairs

How to return your equipment:

Dorset patients

If you, or someone you know can return your equipment, it may be taken to any of the locations below:

• Royal Bournemouth Hospital, returned therapy equipment store next to ED minors

• Christchurch Hospital returned therapy equipment store near the north entrance

• NRS Wallisdown Service Centre, 498 Wallisdown Rd, BH11 8PT.

For bulky items, or if you are unable to return your equipment to the above locations, please call NRS Healthcare on 0344 893 6364 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Hampshire patients

Please telephone Hampshire equipment services on 01256 476800 and select option 1 to arrange return of your equipment

We appreciate your help. Returning equipment helps the NHS to save money and provide equipment to those that need it.

Contact details

If you would like to contact a physiotherapist or occupational therapist from the elective orthopaedic therapy team you can email them at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please note this email address is for patients who are having or have recently had planned orthopaedic surgery at Royal Bournemouth Hospital only. We are unable to reply to patients who have queries for other teams or departments. Please send us a short message with your question and contact details. This email will be checked daily Monday to Friday and one of the therapists will email or call you back.

If you are unable to email us please telephone the therapy team on 0300 019 6221