Conditions we treat

Knee Replacement Rehabilitation Treatment in West End, Brisbane

Before and after a total knee replacement — and the weeks before surgery matter more than most people are told.

A total knee replacement is a good operation with a demanding recovery. The outcome depends heavily on two things that are within your control: how strong the leg is going in, and how consistently range and strength are worked afterwards.

What you are likely to notice

  • Before surgery: pain, stiffness and quadriceps weakness
  • After surgery: swelling, difficulty straightening the knee fully
  • Quadriceps that will not switch on despite effort
  • Difficulty with stairs and getting out of a chair

What usually causes it

  • End-stage knee osteoarthritis is the usual reason for the operation
  • Post-operative quadriceps inhibition, which is near-universal and not a sign you are doing it wrong

How we treat it at Forge

Prehabilitation before surgery: strengthening the quadriceps, hip and calf so you go in stronger, which is one of the better-supported predictors of coming out better. Afterwards: full extension first, then quadriceps activation, then graded strengthening. Neubie has a specific role in the early phase, when the nervous system is holding the quadriceps down and no amount of effort recruits it. Hydrotherapy lets you load the leg before it tolerates land.

How long it takes

Most of the gain happens in the first three months, and improvement continues for a year. Getting full straightening early is the single most important early milestone.

Technology on site

What we can add for knee replacement rehabilitation

Only the ones that make sense for this problem — listing all three on every page would be advertising, not information.

Neubie therapy

Direct current to wake up muscle the nervous system has switched off. No extra charge. Read more.

Questions

What people ask about this

How soon should I start after surgery?

Early, and usually your surgeon will have a protocol. We work within it. The important early targets are full extension and quadriceps activation, not how far you can bend.

Why will my thigh muscle not switch on?

Arthrogenic muscle inhibition — the nervous system reduces the quadriceps signal after knee surgery. It is normal, it is not weakness in the ordinary sense, and it is what Neubie therapy targets.

Is prehabilitation really worth it?

Yes. Going into the operation stronger is associated with better function afterwards, and the weeks before surgery are usually available anyway.

Not sure this is what you have? That is exactly what an assessment is for — and if it turns out to be something else, we will tell you.

Related: Knee osteoarthritis · Hydrotherapy · Physiotherapy at Forge West End

No referral is needed for a private appointment. Bring one only if you are claiming through Medicare, DVA, WorkCover or insurance.

Where to find us

On Montague Road, in the middle of West End

Unit 4, 249 Montague Road — a short run from South Brisbane, Highgate Hill, Dutton Park, Woolloongabba and South Bank, and from the CBD across the river.

West EndSouth BrisbaneHighgate HillDutton ParkWoolloongabbaSouth BankFairfieldAnnerleyGreenslopesMiltonToowongBrisbane CBD

Can’t get to the clinic? We also offer physiotherapy home visits across the same area, with travel included in the fee.

Ready to move better?

Book your assessment at Forge West End and start a plan built around your goals — not a generic exercise sheet.

Unit 4, 249 Montague Road, West End QLD 4101 · No referral needed for a private appointment · HICAPS on site