Orthopedic Physical Therapy Near You
Surgery or an injury is often just the first step. Getting your strength, motion, and confidence back is the part that takes real work. Our orthopedic physical therapists build personalized recovery plans using hands-on techniques, targeted exercise, and tools like aquatic therapy, taping, and guided movement, whatever your recovery actually calls for.
With more than 25 rehabilitation locations across Pennsylvania, orthopedic physical therapy from Penn Highlands Healthcare is rarely far from home, whether you're recovering from surgery, working through an injury, or trying to stay ahead of one.
Conditions and Situations We Treat
We work with patients recovering from joint replacement, especially total knee, hip, and shoulder replacement, alongside patients working through sports injuries, sprains and strains, fractures, dislocations, and ongoing conditions like arthritis. We also offer prehabilitation: targeted exercise before a scheduled surgery to help you go in stronger and recover faster afterward.
Whether you're a few days post-surgery or a few weeks into managing a nagging sports injury, your therapist builds your plan around where you actually are, not a one-size-fits-all protocol.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Your first visit starts with an evaluation: understanding your injury or surgery, your current strength and range of motion, and what you're hoping to get back to. From there, your therapist builds a plan specific to you rather than a generic protocol.
If you're recovering from surgery in the hospital, therapy often begins the same day or the day after, focusing on basics like getting in and out of bed safely, standing, and using a walker or crutches if needed. For outpatient visits, your first session usually includes a hands-on assessment plus a home exercise program to start working on right away.
Find Orthopedic Physical Therapy Near You
With more than two dozen rehabilitation locations spanning Northwestern, Central, and Southwestern Pennsylvania, plus inpatient rehabilitation at Penn Highlands DuBois, physical therapy close to home is rarely a problem. Our online Find a Doctor tool covers our physical therapy locations too, so you can find the site nearest to you in the same place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Orthopedic physical therapy rebuilds strength, motion, and function after an injury or surgery, and helps manage ongoing musculoskeletal conditions like arthritis. It's also used before surgery, to help you go into your procedure as strong as possible.
Physical therapy focuses on movement, strength, and mobility: walking, bending, lifting, and getting around safely. Occupational therapy focuses more on the skills needed for daily tasks, like getting dressed or preparing meals. Many patients use both after a major surgery.
It varies by procedure and patient, but a common timeline after knee replacement is around 12 weeks, with sessions about twice a week. Your therapist will give you a timeline specific to your surgery and recovery.
Comfortable clothing you can move in, any imaging or paperwork from your doctor if you have it, and a list of questions you want to ask. If you're recovering from surgery, bring along any post-op instructions your surgeon gave you as well.
Many insurance plans require a physician referral or prescription for physical therapy, so it's worth checking with your plan or your doctor's office before scheduling. Not sure where to start? Our team can point you in the right direction.
