Post-Surgical Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation Prague

Post-surgical physiotherapy and rehabilitation through Royal Medical Prague is designed for patients recovering from hip and knee replacement surgery at the clinic's partner orthopaedic facility, with specialists Mario Bertoli M.D. and Vladislav Hospodar M.D. — both rated among Europe's top orthopaedic surgeons — overseeing both the surgical and rehabilitation phases. The 10-day minimum rehabilitation programme begins on the third to fourth day post-operatively and covers pain management, progressive range-of-motion restoration, quadriceps and hip-muscle strengthening, and functional mobility training (walking, stair climbing, transfer from bed/chair). Conducting rehabilitation on-site at the same facility as surgery eliminates the risk of complications from early patient transfer and delivers a medically continuous recovery experience.

Post-operative rehabilitation through Royal Medical Prague is structured specifically to follow hip arthroplasty (total hip replacement) and knee arthroplasty (total knee replacement) — both available through the same Royal Medical orthopaedic network at approximately €9,500 per joint, with rehabilitation available as an integrated component of the patient's Prague stay. Surgeons Mario Bertoli M.D. and Vladislav Hospodar M.D. oversee both the surgical procedure and the rehabilitation phase, providing clinical continuity that is difficult to achieve when surgery and rehabilitation are performed in separate facilities in different countries. Implant systems used include Zimmer Biomet and Smith & Nephew — two of the global leaders in total joint replacement technology — with monolithic, modular, and cementless fixation variants selected based on patient bone density, activity level, and anatomical considerations. The rehabilitation programme begins on day three to four post-operatively, once initial post-anaesthetic stabilisation is complete and the patient is medically ready for mobilisation. The programme is individually structured based on the patient's pre-operative functional status, the specific implant system and approach used, and the surgeon's intraoperative findings. Typical components include: Pain management: NSAIDs, cryotherapy, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to manage post-operative pain to a level that allows active physiotherapy participation without reliance on opiate analgesia beyond the first 48–72 hours. Passive and active-assisted range of motion: gentle mobilisation of the replaced joint within safe limits, gradually increasing the arc of movement toward functional range targets — typically 90° of knee flexion as a threshold for safe discharge from acute care. Muscle strengthening: targeted exercises for the quadriceps (critical for knee stability), hip abductors and extensors (critical for hip stability and gait), and antagonist muscle groups to prevent compensatory imbalance. Functional mobility training: sit-to-stand transfers, bed-to-chair progression, gait training with appropriate walking aids (crutches, Zimmer frame), and stair negotiation — all required competencies before safe independent discharge. The minimum 2-week programme (10 physiotherapy days) is strongly recommended by the orthopaedic team: early intensive rehabilitation reduces the complication rates associated with prolonged inpatient immobility (venous thromboembolism, wound dehiscence, pressure injury, pneumonia), and establishes the neuromuscular patterns needed for durable long-term joint function. For bilateral joint replacement (both hips or both knees in the same episode), a 4-week rehabilitation stay is recommended. Medical documentation for private health insurance claims is prepared before departure as part of the all-inclusive package.