Is orthopedic physical therapy & rehab right for you?

Whether you’ve just had surgery or are hoping to avoid surgery altogether, orthopedic physical therapy can help you gain or regain strength, flexibility and range of motion as well as improve your form so you can stay active. By helping you to manage pain, tight muscles, chronic inflammation and post-surgical swelling, physical therapy has been shown to be an effective treatment for:

• Arthritis
• Carpal tunnel surgery
• Joint replacement surgery
• Tendonitis

Orthopedic physical therapy isn’t a substitute for surgery. If you have a dislocated or severely damaged joint, surgery may be your best option. Following a surgical procedure, adding physical therapy to your care regimen can help you get back to the things you love faster.

Orthopedic physical therapy: What to expect

At your first appointment, your physical therapist will take the time to get to know you and understand how any treatments you’ve had are impacting you. Together, you’ll discuss things like your medical history, pain intensity and how your daily life has been affected.

Orthopedic physical therapy usually takes place a few times a week over the course of several weeks. Your therapist will create exercises based on your specific injury and your goals to help speed your recovery.

Weaving physical therapy & rehab into your care

We believe the best results are possible when you work with specialists who are experienced in treating your unique condition. At Aurora Health Care, our closely connected team of doctors, surgeons and physical therapists combine deep experience with ongoing training to provide personalized recovery plans for you.

Under the guidance of our skilled physical therapists, many orthopedic conditions can even improve without surgery. And if you do need surgery, our therapists are there to help speed your recovery.

People also choose us for orthopedic physical therapy because we offer:

• One-on-one sessions: It’s not uncommon for physical therapy to take place in group sessions at other hospitals and health systems. But at Aurora, all of your physical therapy sessions are one-on-one – just you and your therapist. You’ll have our undivided attention, which helps us offer the most personalized care plans possible.
• Integrated care: Seeing one of our physical therapists means you’ll benefit from specialized treatment that’s closely connected with your overall medical care. Your doctors and physical therapists will work directly together, sharing your medical records and collaborating along your path to recovery. Read more about our orthopedic services.
• Easy access: Get physical therapy when, where and how you need it. We offer free injury evaluations and fast and convenient appointments at a location near you. We also offer direct access to physical therapy, which means you can receive care without a doctor’s prescription (if your insurance allows it) whenever you need it.
• Programs for athletes: The best time to handle an injury is before it happens. Our physical therapists, occupational therapists and licensed athletic trainers can help improve your golf, running, cycling or pitching form – so you can prevent problems before they begin. Learn about our sports performance programs.
• Integrative and holistic care: Your doctor may recommend complementary treatments like acupuncture, massage therapy and chiropractic care. Learn more about integrative medicine.
• Functional therapy: Our therapists offer occupational or “functional” therapy, which focuses on improved movements during daily activities. Learn more about occupational therapy.
• Convenient locations: With one of eastern Wisconsin's largest networks of physical therapy locations, we offer specialized care close to where you live, work and train. Find orthopedic physical therapy.

Our specialized physical therapists

Our specialized physical therapists have thousands of hours of hands-on practice in orthopedics and sports medicine. Depending on your needs, you might see one or several of the following types of physical therapists:

• Orthopedic physical therapists: Orthopedic physical therapists can help you regain strength, flexibility and range of motion. If you’re having surgery, your orthopedic physical therapist might meet with you at your doctor’s office to help you prepare and understand what to expect – before, during and after your procedure.
• Sports physical therapists: Sports health physical therapists help athletes and active adults recover and regain strength after a sports injury. The specialized skills that these advanced-trained clinicians use are especially effective in treating and returning athletes to their sports. Learn more about our sports injury treatments.
• Occupational therapists: Occupational therapists focus on helping you accomplish the goals that matter most to you – whether that's driving to work again after an injury, relearning how to tie your shoes, or getting around the house in the weeks following knee surgery. Find out more about occupational therapy.
• Hand therapists: Hand therapists are occupational or physical therapists with expertise in treating the hands and upper extremities. With thousands of hours of experience, our certified hand therapists have specialized training in restoring and strengthening the hands, wrists, arms and elbows. Learn more about hand therapy.
• Lymphedema therapists: If you develop excessive swelling after surgery, lymphedema therapy can help. Lymphedema therapists work to minimize swelling and related problems with massage, wrapping and other techniques you can do yourself. Read more about lymphedema therapy.
• Balance and vestibular therapists: These specialized physical therapists can address balance and vestibular (inner ear) problems such as dizziness, vertigo, unsteadiness, or frequent falls and visual problems. Treatment can also help if you’re struggling with balance and body mechanics following a concussion or other brain injury. Learn more about balance and vestibular therapy.

Advanced support to enhance your recovery

Our orthopedic physical therapists use advanced techniques and technology to help speed your recovery. We’ll help you select the right course of care including specialized treatments like:

• The AlterG^® anti-gravity treadmill helps you safely increase your activity level during recovery. The treadmill supports your body weight while you rebuild strength.
• Video analysis can help you improve your form or identify an injury.
• Dry needling (also called trigger point dry needling) uses a thin needle inserted through the skin to release tight muscles. This technique is used to relieve pain and restore movement for conditions like plantar fasciitis.
• Cupping is an ancient treatment that can ease soft-tissue pain, including lower back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Find an orthopedic physical therapist

Use our online search tool to find the orthopedic physical therapist who’s right for you.