Explore Expert-Guided Recovery Articles
Every article on PT Recovery Guide is written by a licensed physical therapist with real-world clinical experience. Whether you're recovering from surgery, managing chronic pain, or navigating a new diagnosis, these evidence-based guides are designed to help you take confident, informed steps toward healing.
Sleep After Surgery: Why It Matters and How to Improve It
Sleep problems after orthopedic surgery are common. Discover why sleep is disrupted and strategies to get better rest during recovery.
🦵 Prehab Before Knee Replacement: How to Prepare for Surgery and Recovery
Prehab isn’t extra work — it’s preparation that pays off. By building strength, flexibility, balance, and confidence before knee replacement surgery, you give yourself the best chance at a smoother, faster recovery. Research shows even a few weeks of prehab can shorten hospital stays, improve walking ability, and reduce anxiety heading into surgery.
What to Expect After Knee Replacement: Outcomes, Satisfaction, and Key Factors That Shape Recovery
Most patients feel life-changing relief after a knee replacement, but recovery goes beyond pain relief. This article breaks down what research shows about typical outcomes, how “recovered” knees compare to healthy peers, and which factors you can control to optimize your results.
Why Going Down Stairs is Harder After Knee Replacement (and How to Improve It)
Going down stairs after knee replacement is often one of the last milestones to return. This guide explains why descent feels harder than ascent and shares practical strategies to rebuild strength, control, and confidence.
Ice vs Heat for Injury: A Physical Therapist’s Guide to Pain & Swelling Relief
Not sure whether to use ice or heat after an injury? Learn how each works, when to use them, and the safest ways to reduce swelling, ease stiffness, and support recovery. A physical therapist explains the difference, without the conflicting advice.