A fracture is treated by the treating surgeon or emergency team — with a cast, a brace, or with surgical fixation. Rehabilitation is what happens afterwards, and it is often what determines final function. A well-treated fracture followed by unstructured rehabilitation typically leaves lasting stiffness and weakness. A structured programme, matched carefully to the phase of healing, tends to restore function much more completely.
At VBJ Physiotherapy, fracture rehabilitation follows the treating surgeon's clearance and progresses only as the fracture allows.
Every step of a rehabilitation programme depends on the underlying fracture being stable enough to load. Progression is guided by the treating surgeon's advice on weight-bearing, protection, cast or brace use, and healing on follow-up imaging. Physiotherapy does not accelerate bone healing; it protects the surrounding joints, muscles and function while healing occurs, and restores them afterwards.
Adjacent joints that have been immobilised commonly lose range of motion. Restoring that range is often the earliest rehabilitation goal once the surgeon clears movement.
Even short periods of protection cause noticeable strength loss. Progressive strengthening restores that capacity across successive sessions.
Elbows, shoulders, wrists, ankles and knees that have been immobilised typically need dedicated mobility work.
Swelling may persist after cast removal or fixation. Movement, elevation and specific techniques are used to manage it.
Once the surgeon has cleared it, progressive loading is introduced. The pace depends on the fracture, the fixation used, and the surgeon's protocol. Loading too soon risks setting healing back; loading too late leaves function underdeveloped. The physiotherapist works to your surgeon's specific timeline.
Rehabilitation ends when function returns — not when pain settles. That means restoring range, strength, control and confidence for the daily tasks that the fractured region needs to perform: walking, stair use, driving, work-specific tasks, and, where appropriate, sport.
Ankle, tibia, femoral neck and hip fractures typically involve a period of protected weight-bearing under the surgeon's guidance, followed by progressive loading, gait re-training, strengthening and functional restoration. Older patients recovering from a hip fracture often benefit from a wider programme covering balance and fall prevention — see our geriatric rehabilitation page.
Wrist, elbow, shoulder and clavicle fractures often need dedicated joint-range restoration after a period of protection. Progressive strengthening follows, ending with functional restoration of grip, reach, lifting and work-specific movements.
Fractures managed with surgical fixation follow a rehabilitation pathway that respects the surgeon's specific instructions on weight-bearing, movement precautions and progression. Where your surgery was performed by the VBJ orthopaedic team, communication with the surgeon is direct. Where surgery was performed elsewhere, we work from your surgeon's protocol and coordinate with them on request.
This depends entirely on the fracture and your treating surgeon's clearance. Some fractures allow gentle rehabilitation of adjacent joints early; others require a period of protection first. We follow your surgeon's specific instructions.
No. Bone heals at its own biological pace, influenced by the fracture, the fixation, general health and other factors. Physiotherapy protects surrounding joints and function during healing, and restores them afterwards.
Yes. Fracture rehabilitation follows your treating surgeon's clearance and progresses to their protocol. Please bring your operative report and any post-operative or post-cast instructions.
Recovery depends on the fracture, the joint involved, associated soft-tissue injury, and adherence to rehabilitation. Meaningful functional return is common; guaranteeing complete recovery is not appropriate.
You can still rehabilitate with us. Please bring your operative report and post-operative or post-cast instructions. We coordinate with your treating surgeon on request.
Get a clear plan. The team will confirm your appointment after receiving your enquiry.
No. 65/3, 100 Feet Road, Kanakapura Main Road,
Vajarahalli, Balaji Layout,
Bengaluru, Karnataka 560109
Phone / WhatsApp: 74835 72770
Appointments: Please contact the physiotherapy team for current appointment availability.