If you’ve had a hip or knee replacement and still don’t feel like yourself — stiff, cautious, or struggling with everyday activities — you’re not alone. The surgery was supposed to give you your freedom back. But for many people in Booragoon and surrounding areas, that freedom still feels just out of reach.
Here’s the truth: joint replacement is only one part of your recovery. The rest comes down to how you rebuild your strength, confidence, and movement — and that’s exactly where physiotherapy comes in.
“I Thought I’d Be Back to Normal by Now…”
We hear this a lot.
You’ve followed the surgeon’s post-op instructions. You may have even done some rehab. But months later, you’re still:
Struggling with stairs
Walking with a limp
Feeling stiff or weak
Avoiding longer walks, bending, kneeling, or gardening
Lacking confidence in your leg — or your body overall
It’s frustrating. And it makes you question whether this is “just how it’s going to be now.”
Let us reassure you: you can absolutely improve from here — with the right support.
Why You Still Feel Stiff or Weak After Joint Replacement
A hip or knee replacement addresses the damaged joint — but not the muscles, movement patterns, or compensations that built up before surgery.
Here’s what’s often still affected post-op:
Hip or knee strength: surrounding muscles may be weak or underused
Balance and stability: after pain or time off your feet, your body’s sense of stability takes a hit
Gait (walking) pattern: limping or altered stride can become a habit
Fear of movement: even without pain, many people feel hesitant to load the joint fully
General deconditioning: surgery and recovery often reduce total body strength and endurance
These are normal — but they’re not permanent.
The Problem With “You’re Fine Now”
Many people in Booragoon are discharged from post-op care far too early, with nothing but a generic printout and a “you’re doing well.”
But if you’re still feeling stiff, unsteady, or unsure? That’s not “fine.”
When rehab stops too soon:
You lose progress
Confidence dips
Mobility stalls
And frustration builds
You’re left in limbo — unsure what to do, or scared to do too much.
That’s where structured, guided physiotherapy bridges the gap.
What Makes Our Approach at Adaptive Different
At Adaptive Physiotherapy & Massage, we take a completely different approach.
Yes, our physios are highly trained in joint replacement rehab — but we’re also movement and strength coaches, not just treatment providers.
We don’t just:
Put you on a table
Give you a massage
Hand you a home exercise sheet
Instead, we work with you on the gym floor, one-on-one, with a progressive, tailored plan to help you regain what matters most: movement, confidence, and freedom.
Our physiotherapists offer the same exercise-based, functional rehab approach that an Exercise Physiologist might — but with a deeper clinical lens, especially post-surgery.
What Your Recovery Plan Might Look Like
Every plan is personalised — but here’s what the stages often include:
Phase 1: Mobility & Pain-Free Movement
Gentle range-of-motion work
Reduce swelling and stiffness
Safe ways to begin walking and loading the joint
Phase 2: Strength & Stability
Targeted strength for glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves
Core activation and pelvic stability
Building back confidence in weight-bearing and movement
Phase 3: Gait & Balance Retraining
Correcting any limp or uneven stride
Building better balance (especially important after hip surgery)
Working on stairs, uneven surfaces, and real-world movement
Phase 4: Return to Life
Getting back to walking further, gardening, exercise, or travel
Learning how to move without fear or hesitation
Preventing falls, setbacks, and future injuries
All under the guidance of a qualified physiotherapist who understands what you’ve been through — and where you want to go.
Real People. Real Progress.
Here are just a couple of local examples:
Margaret, 72 — Knee Replacement
After six weeks of early rehab, she was walking — but not far. Her knee felt stiff, and she was avoiding her usual trips to the local shops. With 12 weeks of guided physio at Adaptive in Booragoon, she was confidently walking 3km again and could tackle stairs without hesitation.
James, 66 — Hip Replacement
He’d finished his hospital rehab but still felt unstable. Our team focused on his glute strength, posture, and balance. Three months later, he’s back playing 9 holes of golf twice a week.
Why Adaptive Physiotherapy & Massage in Booragoon?
We’re not your average physio clinic.
Here’s what makes us different:
Integrated Strength + Rehab: Our physios bridge clinical treatment with real-world coaching
Personalised Plans: No generic programs. Everything is built for you
1-on-1 Support: We don’t leave you guessing — we guide you every step of the way
Welcoming Environment: A clean, quiet space with direct gym access — not a chaotic clinic
Local and Trusted: Proudly helping clients from Booragoon, Melville, Myaree, and surrounding suburbs
You Deserve to Move Well Again — Without Guesswork
If you’ve had a hip or knee replacement and still feel like something’s missing — you’re not done healing. You just haven’t had the support you truly need.
Whether it’s been weeks or years since your surgery, you can still rebuild strength, stability, and confidence.
It starts with a proper plan — and a team that won’t give up when the printout ends.
Ready to move freely again?
Book your recovery assessment at our Booragoon clinic and let’s map out a rehab plan that works — for your body, your goals, and your life.
