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.
Managing IT Band Syndrome: A PT’s Guide to Relieving Pain and Getting Back to Activity
A physical therapist’s in-depth guide to understanding and managing IT Band Syndrome. Learn what causes lateral knee pain, how to treat it with strength, mobility, and smart training habits—and when to seek professional help.
Understanding Bursitis: What It Is and How to Treat It at Home
Bursitis is a common cause of joint pain, but few people understand what it really is. Learn how to recognize symptoms, manage flare-ups at home, and avoid common pitfalls with this PT-guided breakdown of bursitis causes, treatment, and recovery strategies.
Managing Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: Movement, Stability, and Support
Discover how to move safely with EDS. This guide explains joint-safe strength training, pacing strategies, and daily routines for improved stability.
TKA Recovery Months 2–3: What to Expect and How to Keep Making Progress
Months 2–3 after a total knee replacement can feel like a plateau, but this is when real gains happen. Learn how to keep making progress with expert-backed strategies.
Rehab Exercise Progression: A Patient’s Guide to Safely Advancing Your Recovery
Learn how to safely and effectively progress your rehab exercises at home. This guide breaks down soreness vs pain, strength vs endurance, and how to know when you're ready to level up without risking setbacks.
Plantar Fasciitis Self-Care: A Patient’s Guide to Relief and Recovery
A practical guide to plantar fasciitis self-care—covering causes, recovery timelines, and effective strategies for managing heel pain at home.
Ankle Sprain Recovery Guide: Manage It at Home or See a Doctor?
Your step-by-step guide to recovering from mild to moderate ankle sprains safely and effectively.
Understanding Inflammation: How to Heal Smarter, Not Just Harder
A physical therapist’s guide to calming inflammation and boosting recovery
What No One Tells You About Knee Replacement Recovery
Most patients expect pain—but not the uncertainty. This article gives you a clearer roadmap.