After surgery, there's a common instinct to rest completely until you feel "ready" to move. It's understandable — but for most types of surgery, waiting too long to start structured movement can actually slow recovery down, not speed it up.

Why early movement matters

Prolonged inactivity after surgery contributes to muscle weakness, stiffness, reduced circulation and a higher risk of complications like blood clots. Movement — the right movement, at the right intensity, guided appropriately — actually protects against many of the things patients worry rest will prevent.

What "24 hours" actually means in practice

Rehabilitation typically begins around 24 hours after discharge, starting as home-based sessions rather than a trip to a clinic. This isn't about rushing anyone — it's a carefully staged, guided start, not an unsupervised push to "get moving." A physiotherapist assesses what's appropriate for your specific surgery and current state before anything begins.

Why the transition point isn't fixed

There's no set number of home visits before moving to centre-based rehabilitation — it depends on your medical stability, mobility, pain control, surgical healing, and how you're actually doing, not a calendar. Some patients are ready for the clinic almost immediately after discharge; others benefit from a longer period of home-based care first. Both are normal.

What early rehabilitation actually involves

Depending on the surgery, early sessions might include gentle mobility work, breathing exercises, ankle pumps and lower-limb activation to support circulation, and guidance on safe movement — getting in and out of bed, sitting, and basic daily tasks — rather than anything strenuous. The goal in this phase is protecting recovery while preventing the complications that come from staying still too long.

When to call your surgeon instead of waiting for your next session

Fever, increasing wound redness or discharge, worsening pain, bleeding, sudden leg swelling, chest pain, difficulty breathing, or new weakness are not things to wait out until your next physiotherapy appointment. These need medical attention immediately.