Physiotherapy and rehabilitation in East Melbourne
Rehabilitation after hip arthroscopy
SOS Clinic provides hip arthroscopy rehabilitation in East Melbourne. Your physiotherapist gets you walking and moving well again, then works on strength, after keyhole hip surgery, with progression guided by your operation, healing and functional milestones.
How does rehabilitation after hip arthroscopy work?
Rehabilitation starts with understanding what was done during your operation. Treatment for a labral tear, bone reshaping, cartilage work or a capsular repair can require different restrictions. Your physiotherapist checks the surgeon’s instructions before progressing weight bearing, movement or exercise.
Early on, the focus is protecting the hip and keeping pain down. Movement comes next, then strength, and then preparing for your usual activities. Your home program is adjusted as your recovery develops.
How long does hip arthroscopy rehabilitation take?
Recovery usually takes several months. Walking and everyday tasks generally recover before running or demanding sport. The ISHA consensus describes a staged approach that combines time for healing with milestones for movement, strength and function. Your own operation and response to exercise determine the pace.
How long will I need crutches?
Use crutches for the period and level of weight bearing prescribed by your surgeon. Do not stop simply because pain has eased. Your physiotherapist checks that you can walk with good control while respecting any restrictions before reducing support.
When can I walk normally?
The aim is comfortable walking without a limp once full weight bearing is permitted. Short, manageable walks are built up gradually. If longer walks bring back a limp or increase symptoms, your physiotherapist can adjust the walking plan.
When can I drive?
Discuss driving with your surgeon. You need safe control of the operated leg, the ability to perform an emergency stop and freedom from medication that impairs driving. Crutches, pain, the operated side and the type of vehicle can affect readiness. Confirm any requirements with your insurer.
When can I return to the gym, running and sport?
Gym exercise is introduced in stages, beginning with activities that respect your movement and loading restrictions. Running and change-of-direction sport come later, after a review of symptoms, strength, control and tolerance of progressively harder tasks. Returning to training does not automatically mean you are ready for competition.
How do I know I am ready to progress?
Your physiotherapist considers pain after activity, movement, walking quality, strength, balance and the demands of your sport or work. Progress is checked against your earlier results and your goals, rather than a date alone.
A Biomechanical Profile Assessment may use ForceFrame for strength, ForceDecks for loading and balance, and HumanTrak for movement. Tests are selected for your stage of recovery; no single score proves healing or guarantees a safe return to sport.
Hip rehabilitation expertise
The SOS physiotherapy team includes Associate Professor Amir Takla, a co-author of the 2024 ISHA postoperative hip arthroscopy rehabilitation agreement, published in 2025. Physiotherapy can be coordinated with Professor Phong Tran when surgical review is needed.
Explore hip physiotherapy, FAI physiotherapy, our rehabilitation service and Professor Tran’s explanation of hip arthroscopy.
When should I seek medical help?
Contact your surgical team promptly for worsening pain, wound redness or discharge, fever, or new calf pain or swelling. Sudden breathlessness, chest pain or collapse needs emergency care, so call 000.
Arrange physiotherapy at SOS Clinic
Visit Specialist Orthopaedic Surgery Clinic at St Francis Building, Ground Floor, 166 Gipps Street, East Melbourne VIC 3002. Bring your operation report or discharge instructions and any relevant scans to your first appointment.
Book an appointment or call (03) 9928 6161.
This information is general. Follow the advice and precautions provided by your own surgeon and physiotherapist.