What Is PT Recovery Guide (And Why I Created It)
When the system couldn’t do enough, I decided to build something that could.
After over a decade in outpatient rehab, I’ve worn many hats: treating clinician, clinic director, mentor to new grads, educator for fellow PTs, and collaborator with surgeons on care protocols. I’ve worked closely with patients one-on-one. Then simultanously I have worked behind the scenes, leading training programs, analyzing outcomes, and navigating the operational challenges of modern healthcare delivery.
Across all of those roles, one truth has stayed constant:
The patients who are better educated, more self-sufficient, and more engaged in their recovery consistently have better outcomes.
Not just faster progress, but fewer setbacks, better long-term mobility, and more confidence during the toughest parts of the process.
That truth is what inspired PT Recovery Guide.
🧠 Why This Matters Now More Than Ever
The current healthcare environment makes it harder, not easier, for patients to succeed.
I’ve seen firsthand how:
Higher co-pays limit how often patients come in
Insurance approvals delay care or shorten it before it's effective
Patients are discharged with minimal guidance, sometimes without even starting PT
Clinicians are stretched thin, and even with the best intentions, can’t always provide the depth of education patients truly need
In this system, many patients are left to navigate complex and difficult recoveries with vague instructions and too many unknowns. That’s frustrating, disempowering, and in many cases—avoidable.
Recovery doesn’t begin or end with surgery or within the clinic. It happens at home, between visits, and long after formal care ends. That’s the gap that I am trying to help bridge.
💡 What You’ll Find Here
PT Recovery Guide is built to support people through every phase of orthopedic recovery, especially the parts they have to manage on their own. Here, you’ll find:
Step-by-step guidance on what to expect and how to stay on track after joint replacements, surgery, or injury
Practical tools to manage pain, swelling, stiffness, setbacks, and more
Approachable education that is grounded in evidence, but written for real people, not clinicians
Curated product recommendations that balance quality, affordability, and real utility
Whether you're recovering from a total knee replacement, dealing with nerve pain, or just trying to regain strength and confidence, you'll find clear information you can use right away.
💬 What’s Free (and What Isn’t)
Most of what you’ll find here is completely free—written by a real clinician, not a content team, and shaped by the same education I provide to my own patients in the clinic.
I also offer:
A curated list of affordable, high-quality recovery supplies I actually recommend in practice
Optional deeper-dive resources, including a comprehensive Total Knee Replacement Guide, for those who want more structure and step-by-step support
This project is about accessibility and empowerment—but also sustainability. Offering a few paid resources helps me continue making quality content while keeping most of the education free for everyone.
🙋♂️ Why I’m Doing This
I’m still treating patients full-time. I’m also a husband and a father of three small kids. But I built this site because I care deeply about what happens in the spaces between clinic visits, when patients are on their own and unsure of what’s normal, what matters, or what to do next.
If this site helps even a few people feel more confident, less confused, and better supported through their recovery then that’s worth it.
Thanks for being here. I hope you find something that makes your journey a little easier.
Best in Health,
- Christian
Written by Christian Hill, PT, DPT, CDNT – Licensed Physical Therapist with over 10 years in orthopedic rehab.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before beginning any new rehabilitation or treatment plan.
