Post operative therapy session being conducted at Vancity Physio, a physiotherapy and sports medicine clinic located in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Post-Operative Physiotherapy

Clinical Physiotherapy - In Person and Virtual Sessions

Surgery is often only the first step to returning to a normal active life. Once your surgery is complete, you’ll need to strengthen your body and rebuild your muscle in order to make a full recovery. Physiotherapy can be beneficial to patients both before and after major surgeries. We always communicate with your surgeon to develop the most effective treatment plan and will help you manage your injury at home with dedicated exercises.

IS POST-SURGERY REHABILITATION RIGHT FOR ME?

Our post-operative and post-surgery rehabilitation is suited for patients who have recently undergone intensive surgery and are experiencing pain, muscle weakness, reduced mobility, low exercise tolerance, or stiffness. Relevant surgeries can include fractures, joint surgeries, knee or hip replacements, ligament repairs, and more.

Our physiotherapist team can help with:

• Pain relief.

• Reducing swelling.

• Gentle manual therapy to restore joint range of motion.

• Assistance with early walking.

• Prescribing gait aids like walkers or canes and instructing on their use.

• Simple exercises to begin to regain muscle function without disrupting healing.

HOW IT WORKS

Post-operative physiotherapy or post-surgery rehabilitation is a crucial process on your road to recovery. It involves a lot of physiotherapy sessions and exercises to help you get better and resume normal physical activities and improve your quality of life. Treatment should begin immediately after surgery and continue until you regain normal function. Post-operative physiotherapy or post-surgery rehabilitation can help reduce anxiety, build confidence, and improve circulator and respiratory problems.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Our physiotherapists will work closely with your medical team to determine the appropriate recovery plan. Physiotherapy in early recovery stages post-surgery will often be gentle and focused on pain relief and reducing swelling. Once you reach the appropriate milestones for your surgery, we will begin to work on strength-building and range of motion training. When your surgery is mostly healed we will recommend more complex exercises to restore full function to the affected area. At-home exercises will also be required to experience the full benefits of the physiotherapy program.

HOW TO PREPARE

Preparation for these services will be determined on an individual basis, depending on the type of severity of the surgery. It’s important to contact your physiotherapist early on in your recovery process to ensure you hit all necessary milestones and recover more quickly. If you have a referral or any paperwork from your surgeon, please bring in a copy for our records. Always follow your doctor’s instructions when undergoing post-operative recovery programs.

POST-SESSION

Depending on the surgery and the state of your injury, your physiotherapist may recommend specific exercises, rest, or activities. Consult your doctor to find out what kind of care you should be focusing on and contact our office to start your recovery journey. Be sure to do all at-home exercises as directed to receive optimal results.

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FEES

To book, please select Clinical Physiotherapy from our online booking platform. To maximize your session’s value, and take advantage of our diverse treatment options, fees are inclusive of all treatments used during your session. Your physiotherapist will work with you to help assess which treatments will be most beneficial during your visit.

VanCity Physio offers direct billing.

Vancity Physio's vast knowledge brought me great results. When I began working with them I was on crutches, and today I am so much stronger and can function so much better. I feel that I have jumped leaps and bounds, and I am very excited to utilize my new knowledge.
My therapist put a great deal of time and effort into my rehabilitation, and gave me the tools I needed to move onward and forward.

— Deborah H.

1 / 5

Ranko has taught me many things about my recovery and has encouraged me every step of the way. His smile and attitude helps to keep me involved and optimistic. I can ask for honesty with him and get it … qualities that reflect more than one healing process

— Wendy M.

2 / 5

My Physiotherapist always displayed a lot of patience, encouraged me and was always right beside me as to make sure that I wouldn't fall or hurt myself. The techniques and exercises I learned helped me to improve very quickly… as a result, 1 month post hip replacement surgery I was able to get up and down the many stairs I have in my home with a cane without any problems!

— R. Rasman

3 / 5

I wanted to take a moment to write you a note of gratitude for your time and efforts during my recovery. Your attitude, depth of knowledge, and commitment really helped me through one of the roughest times in my life.

— M. Goddard

4 / 5

I recently suffered an injury from playing sports. I had a lot of trouble walking without pain but working with Vancity Physio helped me quickly return to what I love doing most. Injuries don't just affect a person physically, but can take an emotional toll. Having a physio who is knowledgeable in their practice, patient with explaining my condition and being personable to work made all the difference in my full recovery.

— Fiona Chiu

5 / 5

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Practitioners

Tim Fung

Physiotherapist

Tim completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology from Simon Fraser University and a Master of Physiotherapy Degree from the University of Sydney.

Tim has extensive experience working with a wide range of individuals including youth, working professionals, recreational/semi-professional athletes and weekend warriors.

Tim has additional training and specialization in the following skills: sports injury management, running injuries/running and treadmill assessments, office/workplace injury management, repetitive overuse injuries, injury prevention technique, functional reconditioning, and personalized, tailored exercise prescription.

Our team. Vancity Physiotherapy located in Vancouver, British Columbia. Your trusted Physiotherapy experts.

Alexis Karsli

Alexis grew up in Toronto, swimming and camping in every season. She received both her Master of Physiotherapy and Bachelor of Science at UBC in Vancouver. Alexis has worked with clients of all ages, and hopes to empower clients to participate in their recovery through active treatment techniques (get ready for exercise) and open communication between clients and physio throughout their journey. She believes in the importance of helping her clients understand how their bodies move and function when discussing treatment plans to better aid recovery.

Alexis has completed her Level 1 AIM orthopedics certification and has had clinical placements with emphasis on amputee rehab, kids physio, senior health, hip/knee replacements, and general public and private physio.

She looks forward to working with you to meet your rehab goals, whether they are big or small!

Isabel Aganon

Isabel Aganon graduated with a Master of Science in Physical Therapy at the University of Toronto. Boasting over a decade of experience as a dedicated physiotherapist, she is committed to improving her patient’s functional outcomes and enhancing their overall well-being.

With a steadfast commitment to providing exceptional care, she has honed her expertise through specialized training in Vestibular Rehabilitation, Chronic Pain Management, Pilates, Pelvic Health, Acupuncture, and Arthritis Care. She also possess expertise with returning injured workers back to their optimal level through work conditioning programs.

Notably, Isabel played an essential role in shaping the Advanced Practice Physiotherapy role within the Hip and Knee Surgical Assessment Program at Vancouver Coastal Health. Additionally, she collaborated closely with orthopaedic surgeons at the University Health Network in Toronto, contributing her expertise to triages in upper and lower extremity programs and spine clinics. Her experience in treating chronic pain has given her valuable insights into the interplay of psychosocial and environmental influences on patient recovery.

Beyond her professional endeavours, Isabel is deeply engaged in personal growth and wellness pursuits. She has delved into the study of mindfulness meditation and finds rejuvenation through her passion for hiking. During her journeys to India, she diligently honed her skills in Ashtanga yoga and various breathing techniques, integrating them into her practice when it is suitable.

Amy Edwards at Vancity Physiotherapy. Physiotherapists Vancouver

Audrey Cullis

Audrey is a dedicated and experienced Physiotherapist passionate about helping individuals optimize their physical health and performance. A former competitive ice hockey player, she brings a unique perspective to her practice, drawing on her athletic background to understand the demands of physical activity.

After earning a Bachelor of Medical Sciences with Honours Specialization in Physiology from the University of Western Ontario, Audrey moved to British Columbia to pursue her Master’s in Physical Therapy at UBC, graduating in 2023. She currently works at VanCity Physio and the Acute Rehab Unit at Sunny Hill Health Centre, where she provides intensive rehabilitation services to children with various neurological and physical disabilities.

Outside of work, Audrey enjoys an active lifestyle, including snowboarding, hiking, camping, and running. She has a particular interest in treating sports injuries, especially those related to hockey and running. She is available to conduct running assessments to help individuals improve their performance and prevent injuries.
Audrey is committed to providing high-quality, evidence-based care. She is excited to work with you to achieve your health and wellness goals.

Ranko Vukovic

Physiotherapist | GUNN IMS Practitioner

Ranko is a Registered Physiotherapist (RPT) licensed with the College of Physiotherapists of British Columbia and a member of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association.

He graduated from UBC in 2015 with a Masters of Physical Therapy. A passion for sport saw Ranko work as a BCRPA Certified Personal Trainer and Kinesiologist, creating tailored training programs for a diverse group of clients, educating and motivating them to reach their personal fitness goals.

Ranko has post-graduate training in treating jaw pain, otherwise known as TMJ and Orofacial pain. He’s also a Certified CGIMS Practitioner, and has completed his training at UBC. In addition, Ranko finished his Functional Dry Needling (FDN) certification in University of Navada Las Vegas. Ranko's training also includes ShockWave Therapy, Mobilization with Movement and Kinetic Link Training. He was featured in the Top 100 Canadians Magazine for 2020.

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