Rehabilitation guided by health experts

Atkins Health’s Lower Limb Program – Rehab Revolution – is transforming recovery outcomes for Australians undergoing total knee replacement (TKR). While TKR recovery is a key focus, the program is part of a broader lower limb rehabilitation initiative supported by a multidisciplinary team. In addition to physiotherapists and exercise physiologists who lead the TKR program, clients benefit from the expertise of podiatrists, remedial massage therapists, and dietitians. This comprehensive team approach ensures seamless rehab, guiding clients from hospital to their return to work, sport, and the activities they enjoy.

The goal is not just to recover, but to exceed prior levels of health and fitness. By providing ongoing, individualised care that reduces readmissions, the program breaks the cycle of hospital dependency and empowers participants to achieve lasting results.

What is Total Knee Replacement?

Why is it Necessary and How is it Performed?

Total knee replacement, or total knee arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure designed to relieve pain and restore function in severely diseased knee joints. Most often, this surgery becomes necessary when conservative measures such as medication, injections, and physiotherapy no longer provide relief from debilitating knee pain caused by osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or traumatic joint injury.

The surgery involves replacing the damaged articular surfaces of the femur, tibia, and patella with prosthetic components made of metal and polyethylene. These artificial joint surfaces mimic natural motion while reducing bone-on-bone contact and inflammation. Surgical candidates typically face challenges in mobility and daily activities, with chronic pain being a major driver.

The procedure is generally highly successful, with most patients reporting significant improvements in pain and function, however revision rates ten years after surgery are almost 11% due to infection or poor rehabilitation. Surgery is therefore really just the beginning. True recovery and optimal outcomes are highly dependent on what happens after the procedure.

Candidates for Total Knee Replacement

While TKR was traditionally seen as a solution for older adults with advanced arthritis, it is now increasingly common across a broader spectrum of Australians.

The following groups are potentially likely candidates: High-Impact-Sports

Ageing Australians: Particularly those over 60 with reduced mobility, joint deformities, or who are pain resistant to conservative treatment
Recreational Athletes: Long-distance runners, hikers, and cyclists experiencing progressive wear and tear
Professional Sports Players: Especially those from high-impact sports such as AFL, rugby, or basketball, with recurrent joint damage
Manual Labourers: Factory workers, miners, tradespeople, and agricultural workers are at high risk due to repetitive strain and load-bearing tasks
People with Obesity or Sedentary Lifestyles: Excess weight increases stress on joints, often leading to early-onset osteoarthritis
People with Previous Joint Trauma or Surgeries: Old injuries may progress to chronic degeneration, especially if left untreated

By identifying and targeting these populations, early intervention and a robust rehab plan can prevent long-term disability.

The Benefits of Participating in the Rehab Revolution Program (and the Risks of Not)

Engaging in a comprehensive, professionally guided rehab program post-TKR is not a luxury, it is a medical necessity.

Benefits of the Rehab Revolution Program:

- - Faster recovery time and return to daily activities
Improved strength, balance, and mobility
Reduced pain and swelling
Lower risk of complications such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and joint stiffness
Psychological benefits, including improved confidence, motivation, and mental wellbeing
Long-term protection of the prosthetic joint, ensuring greater lifespan and performance

Risks of Not Participating in Structured Rehab:

Prolonged pain and delayed healing
Risk of joint stiffness and poor prosthetic integration
Muscle wasting and functional decline
Increased likelihood of hospital readmission
Higher risk of falls and reduced independence

The difference between a mediocre and a life-changing surgical outcome often lies in the quality and consistency of rehabilitation.

Benefits of Our Program:

Stages, Duration, and Professional Collaboration

The Rehab Revolution program is designed with both structure and flexibility to support a successful recovery. Spanning 12 weeks, it leverages a collaborative multidisciplinary model involving physiotherapists and exercise physiologists who work closely with your surgeon and care team.

Program Breakdown:

4 x Physiotherapy Sessions (Weeks 1, 2, 4, 8)

Early-stage recovery focus: joint mobility, pain management, manual therapy
Progressive restoration of walking and functional movement

1 x Exercise Physiology 1:1 Session (Week 3)

Tailored assessment to initiate strength and endurance programming
Focused on re-activation and neuromuscular control

Weekly Access to Group Classes (Weeks 1–12)

Supervised, community-based sessions
Enhances accountability, social engagement, and functional progression

Rehab Stages:

Re-Set: Post-op pain control, swelling management, reintroduction of movement
Re-Activate: Early mobility, gait training, baseline strength
Re-Load: Targeted loading of knee structures, introduction of resistance
Re-Integrate: Return to full function, advanced balance, and community activities

Throughout the stages, the role of each professional evolves:

Physiotherapist: Takes the lead in the early stages, addressing swelling, mobility, and immediate post-op concerns.

Exercise Physiologist: Increases involvement as functional strength and endurance become the focus, helping maintain progress into long-term outcomes.

Expected Outcomes:

What Makes Atkins Health’s Rehab Revolution Unique

With consistency, participants can expect:

Notable improvements in mobility and pain within the first three months of structured rehabilitation
Increased confidence in walking, stair climbing, and daily activities
Greater independence and reduced reliance on medication
Improved mood, mental resilience, and social re-engagement

What makes the Rehab Revolution program unique is:

Close coordination with your orthopaedic surgeon
A structured, team-based approach, with defined handover points between physiotherapist and exercise physiologist
Ongoing support, including personalised group training in a welcoming, social environment
Evidence-based progression, aligned with physical therapy best practices and behavioural science
Focus on lasting change, not just temporary recovery

This program was developed by experts in physical rehabilitation who understand that recovery is both physical and psychological. By embedding behavioural strategies, personalisation, and outcome tracking, it ensures that each client not only recovers but thrives.

Forget the One-Size-Fits-All Approach:

Whether you’re chasing grandkids, returning to the job site, or getting back on the field, our Rehab Revolution for Total Knee Replacement is your path to a better recovery.

Don’t settle for basic rehab. Choose the program that helps you surpass your previous level of health and fitness – and walk confidently into your next chapter.

Contact us today to learn more or to book your pre-surgery assessment and post-op program, by calling 07 3177 7779 or completing the following form:

Australia’s ageing population means that more Australians are getting hip replacements and the good news is that with improving surgery techniques and rehabilitation protocols, Australia has a high rate of hip replacement success. So, what are the keys to having heathy hips and successful hip replacement recovery? In this article we explore how the hips work, how to improve hip health and how to prepare for and manage hip replacement surgery and recuperation.

What are hips and what do they do?

The acetabulofemoral joint commonly known as the hip joint, are ball-and-socket joints located at the junction of the thigh bone and pelvis. They play a crucial role in various movements and are among the largest joints in the body, supporting a significant portion of a person’s body weight.

Hips enable a broad spectrum of movement in the legs, facilitating activities such as walking, squatting, jumping, ascending and descending stairs, sitting, and any other motion that requires lifting or lowering the leg. Ball-and-socket joints like the hips typically exhibit the highest degree of mobility among all body joints.

The hip joint enables various movements such as flexing and extending the legs, rotating them inwards and outwards, and moving them towards or away from the midline. Despite not having an extensive range of motion, it plays a crucial role in stabilising the connection between the upper and lower body.

The anatomy of hips

Hip Bones:

The bones are commonly known as the pelvis. Within the pelvis, two key components play a crucial role in the hip joint; The acetabulum serves as the socket where the upper part of the femur is inserted, while the sacrum provides support to the lower spine and acts as a connection point for numerous muscles and ligaments that help support the hips.

Muscles of the hip:

The muscles of the hip play a crucial role in both motion and stabilisation, with some performing both functions simultaneously. While over fifteen muscles contribute to hip movement, the following are among the largest and most significant:

The gluteus maximus muscle attaches to the ilium, the largest part of the pelvis, and the sacrum. Its primary functions include leg extension and external rotation. This muscle is crucial for actions such as rising from a seated position, running, and walking uphill. Additionally, it plays a key role in supporting the pelvis and enabling activities like maintaining balance on one leg.

The gluteus medius is the main muscle responsible for hip abduction, which involves moving your leg away from your midline. It also plays a crucial role in stabilising your knee when you need to balance on one leg temporarily while walking or running. Positioned between the gluteus maximus and gluteus minimus, the gluteus medius is essential for maintaining proper hip function and stability.

The gluteus minimus is the smallest muscle in the glute group, attached to the ilium. Its primary function is to assist with abduction, but its main role is to provide stability to the hips during these movements.

Pelvis Anatomy including the Hip

Gluteus Muscles

The psoas major muscle is a significant muscle that connects the spine to the inner pelvis. It plays a crucial role in linking the upper and lower body and stabilising this connection. Additionally, it connects the front of the body to the back. At the hip joint, the psoas assists in leg movement, hip rotation, and provides stability during subtle hip movements.

The iliacus muscle connects the ilium of the pelvis to the sacrum. It plays a key role in leg extension and external rotation.

The piriformis muscle attaches to the sacrum and plays a crucial role in lifting and rotating your leg. It is vital for redistributing your body weight when walking from one side to another.

Nerves of the hip:

The nerves located in the hip region play a crucial role in providing sensation to your legs and facilitating essential functions such as walking and everyday movements. These nerves encompass:

The obturator nerve which supplies sensory innervation to a part of the thigh and serves as a motor input for various crucial hip muscles.

The genitofemoral nerve supplies sensory innervation to the genital area and the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve supplies sensory innervation to the lateral thigh.

The femoral nerve supplies feeling to parts of the leg and controls the movement of the psoas muscle and other significant muscles while the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve supplies feeling to the rear of your thigh.

Sciatic nerve: In certain individuals, this nerve travels above the piriformis muscle, while in others, it goes through the muscle. It plays a role in the movement of your hamstrings. Read our blog about sciatica.

Indicators of potential hip issues

The hip joints are susceptible to both gradual deterioration and sudden trauma. If you experience hip pain or stiffness, these are typically the primary indicators that there may be an underlying issue with your hip. Contact a doctor immediately or visit a hospital emergency department if any of the following occur:

You cannot move your leg or hip or you cannot stand or bear weight on a leg
You have intense or referred pain in your hip or leg
Your hip or leg looks deformed
Your leg is very swollen or has become swollen suddenly
There is redness around your hip.

Conditions affecting the hips

Arthritis is a prevalent hip condition where the cartilage in the joint deteriorates over time due to usage, leading to bone-on-bone contact, resulting in pain and limited mobility. Treatment options for hip arthritis typically involve physical therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, and corticosteroid injections. In severe cases, hip replacement surgery may be a necessary option.

Bursitis is characterised by inflammation of the small sacs of fluid that cushion the joints. The treatments for hip bursitis are akin to those prescribed for arthritis. These may include anti-inflammatory medications, corticosteroid injections, and physical therapy. Lifestyle adjustments to avoid activities that aggravate the hip can also be beneficial. In cases where these methods prove ineffective, surgical removal of the affected bursa may be recommended by your doctor.

Avascular necrosis occurs when tissue in the hip dies due to a lack of blood flow, typically caused by injury or tumours. This can lead to the development of tiny fractures in the hip over a period of months or years, eventually resulting in bone breakdown. The primary symptom of avascular necrosis is progressive hip pain.

Ensure your hip health with these tips:

Work on improving your posture and maintain a healthy weight
Take breaks from prolonged sitting
Strengthen your core muscles, including your glutes
Avoid high-impact exercises initially and opt for lower-impact movements
If you experience pain in your hips, rest and ice packs may provide some relief, but don’t delay in seeing your doctor if pain persists
Early intervention is key to preventing potential complications in the future

Hip replacement surgery rehab and prehab

Re-hab

Physiotherapy following a hip replacement can expedite your recovery process. Ideally, it is advisable to consult with one of our physios prior to surgery as well. Physiotherapists are valuable in overseeing and supporting the rehabilitation journey post hip replacement. We develop precise evaluations and personalised programs that align with your functional capacity and facilitate the accomplishment of targeted objectives in a secure and effective manner.

Pre-hab

Physiotherapy before undergoing surgery helps to ensure that you maintain muscle strength and range of motion in your joints. Referred to as pre-hab, this practice has been shown to reduce complications and enhance recovery outcomes.

Through pre-hab, you will be educated on movements to avoid post-surgery and be introduced to targeted strengthening exercises for the muscles surrounding the hip joint. Hydrotherapy, which we offer at our Runaway Bay clinic, may also be recommended, offering a beneficial way to experience movement, alleviate pain, and potentially facilitate weight loss prior to the surgery.

Whether you want to get in shape in order support improved hip health, maintain existing good health, prepare for or recover from surgery, our multidisciplinary team of experts is here to help. You can book an appointment with them directly, or request a call by completing the following form, so we can answer your questions and book a time to meet that suits you.

Neck pain can be caused by factors such as poor posture, muscle strain, injury, or an underlying health condition. Learn about how to get relief from neck pain.

Brock, one of our accredited Back Program practitioners, explains sciatica pain and treatment.

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Preparing for surgery can be a daunting and overwhelming experience. Whether you are facing a minor procedure or a major operation, it is natural to feel a range of emotions as you navigate the journey ahead. In this blog, we will explore strategies for preparing for surgery, as well as tips for managing the recovery process.

How can I prepare for surgery?

Regardless of the type of surgery you are about to undergo, the best course of action in the lead up is to follow the instructions provided by your doctor. This will outline when to stop eating and drinking before the procedure, and any medications to avoid.

In addition to this, you may like to consider implementing a proactive exercise program that can help improve the rate and success of recovery post-surgery. This process is referred to as ‘prehabilitation’ or ‘prehab’.

Studies have shown that by optimising a patient’s condition before surgery, prehabilitation can help reduce the risk of complications after surgery, reduce the recovery window, and improve overall quality of life. Prehab allows the patient’s muscles and joints to reach the best shape possible before surgery, kickstarting the rehabilitation process, speeding up recovery and stabilising pain. Prehabilitation programs can vary depending on the client’s needs and the type of surgery they are having. Generally clients will be prescribed a tailored exercise program to improve their strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness. This can help them better tolerate the stress of surgery and recover more quickly afterward.

What will surgery involve?

This question is tricky to answer. The procedure will vary significantly, depending on the type of surgery being performed, the part of the body involved, and the patient’s overall health. The duration of a surgical procedure can also vary depending on the complexity of the operation and the patient’s overall health. Some surgeries are relatively short and can be completed in a few hours – such as appendectomy, knee reconstruction, and a mastectomy. Other more complex surgeries can take several hours or even days to complete.

Recovering from surgery

It’s important to recognise that everyone responds differently to surgery. Two people who undergo the exact same procedure may have vastly different recovery processes out the other side.

This can be influenced by a variety of factors, including:

Type of surgery: This is possibly the biggest determinant of the recovery window. Some surgeries may only require a few days of recovery, while others may require several weeks or even months.

Age: Younger people tend to recover faster from surgery than older adults. This is because younger people tend to have stronger immune systems, better circulation, and fewer chronic health conditions.

Overall health: Similar to the above, people who are in good overall health tend to recover more quickly from surgery than those who have underlying health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or cancer.

Lifestyle factors: Factors such as smoking, poor nutrition, and lack of exercise can slow down the recovery process.

Quality of post-operative care: The quality of care that a patient receives after surgery can also affect their recovery window. Patients who receive appropriate pain management, wound care, and exercise therapy tend to recover more quickly than those who do not.

Complications: The occurrence of complications such as infections, bleeding, or other medical issues can also prolong the recovery window.

Mental health: The mental health of the patient can also play a role in the recovery window. Patients who are anxious, depressed, or stressed may take longer to recover than those who are in a positive and relaxed state of mind.

Post-surgical rehabilitation

At Atkins Health, we regularly work with clients in the lead up to, and following, a surgical procedure. Implementing a tailored prehabilitation and rehabilitation plan gives the body the absolute best chance at bouncing back.

Our rehabilitation exercise plans incorporate a blend of movements tailored to address the area impacted by the surgery. This will typically include a variation of the following exercise types.

Range-of-motion exercises:

Designed to improve flexibility and reduce stiffness.
Example: knee bends and leg extensions may be prescribed to improve range of motion following knee surgery.

Strengthening exercises:

Targetted to improve muscle strength and help patients regain functional abilities.
Example: after shoulder surgery, exercises such as shoulder presses and bicep curls may be prescribed to strengthen the muscles around the shoulder joint.

Balance exercises:

Commonly introduced to reduce the risk of falls by improving stability.
Example: after hip surgery, the patient may be prescribed exercises such as standing on one leg and heel raises to improve their balance.

Cardiovascular exercises:

These exercises can help improve cardiovascular health and endurance.
Example: after heart surgery, the patient may be prescribed exercises such as walking, cycling, or swimming to improve their cardiovascular fitness.

Working with an experienced exercise physiologist can provide education and guidance on proper exercise form and technique. We also monitor your progress and adjust your program as needed to ensure that you are making steady progress towards your goals.

If you have an upcoming surgery, why not reach out to one of our exercise experts. We can guide you through a personalised exercise program to help you bounce back in your best shape possible.