Quick answer
Orthopaedic rehabilitation treats problems of the joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons — arthritis, ligament tears, tendon pain and post-injury stiffness. Treatment combines hands-on therapy to restore joint movement with progressive loading to rebuild the strength that protects the joint. Most cases improve over six to twelve weeks.
Orthopaedic physiotherapy deals with the mechanical parts of the body — joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons — and the pain and stiffness that follow when one of them is injured, worn or overloaded.
Common problems we treat
- Knee and hip osteoarthritis
- Ligament injuries including ACL, MCL and ankle sprains
- Tendon pain such as tennis elbow, golfer's elbow and Achilles tendinopathy
- Frozen shoulder and rotator cuff problems
- Chronic joint stiffness after immobilisation or injury
- Low back and neck pain of mechanical origin
The principle behind treatment
Painful joints are usually both stiff and weak, and treating only one of those explains why so many people improve briefly and then relapse. Treatment therefore runs on two tracks: restoring movement through hands-on work and stretching, and rebuilding load tolerance through progressive strengthening.
Tendon problems in particular respond to loading rather than rest. Complete rest reduces pain in the short term and weakens the tendon further, which is why tennis elbow so often returns.
Realistic timelines
- Ankle sprains and mild strains: three to six weeks
- Tennis elbow and other tendon problems: eight to twelve weeks
- Frozen shoulder: several months, dictated by the stage it is in
- Osteoarthritis: managed rather than cured — most people gain meaningful function within eight to twelve weeks and maintain it with ongoing exercise
Where a problem needs an orthopaedic surgeon's opinion, we say so. Several of our centres operate inside hospitals, which makes that referral straightforward.
Medically reviewed by Pooja Tyagi, BPT, MPT, Orthopaedic Physiotherapy · Last reviewed September 2026
What it treats
Conditions treated with Orthopaedic Rehabilitation
Ankle & foot
Ankle Pain
- Pain on walking or standing
- Stiffness after rest
Hip & thigh
Avascular Necrosis
- Deep groin pain, worse on weight-bearing
- Pain at rest in later stages
Back & spine
Back Pain
- Aching or stiffness across the lower back
- Pain worse after sitting or standing too long
Shoulder
Biceps Tendinitis
- Pain at the front of the shoulder
- Pain lifting or reaching forward
Wrist & hand
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Pins and needles in the thumb, index and middle fingers
- Night symptoms that wake you and are relieved by shaking the hand
Neck & jaw
Cervical Spondylolisthesis
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Pain into the shoulders or arms
Neck & jaw
Cervical Spondylosis
- Neck stiffness, worse in the morning
- Ache into the shoulders and upper back
Ankle & foot
Flat Feet
- Aching in the arch or inner ankle after standing or walking
- The arch flattening when standing
Shoulder
Frozen Shoulder
- Progressive loss of shoulder movement
- Severe pain at night, often preventing sleep
Wrist & hand
Ganglion Cyst
- A smooth, firm lump, usually on the back of the wrist
- Often painless
Elbow
Golfer’s Elbow
- Pain on the inner elbow
- Pain gripping or flexing the wrist
Ankle & foot
High Arch Foot (Pes Cavus)
- Pain under the ball of the foot or heel
- Frequent ankle sprains
Whole body & general
Joint Pain
- Pain in one or several joints
- Stiffness, particularly after rest
Knee
Knee Pain
- Pain going up or down stairs
- Pain after sitting with the knee bent
Back & spine
Lumbar Spondylosis
- Stiffness in the lower back, worse in the morning
- Ache after standing or walking for a while
Neck & jaw
Neck Pain
- Stiffness turning the head
- Ache into the shoulder or upper back
Knee
Osteoarthritis
- Joint stiffness after rest, easing with movement
- Pain with prolonged standing or walking
Ankle & foot
Plantar Fasciitis
- Sharp heel pain with the first steps in the morning
- Pain after sitting, easing as you walk
Back & spine
Sciatica
- Sharp or burning pain down the back of the leg
- Pins and needles or numbness in the leg or foot
Shoulder
Shoulder Pain
- Pain reaching overhead or out to the side
- Pain lying on the affected shoulder
Back & spine
Slipped Disc (Disc Herniation)
- Back pain with pain travelling into a leg or arm
- Pins and needles or numbness
Whole body & general
Tendinitis & Tendinopathy
- Pain at a specific tendon, worse with loading
- Stiffness after rest, easing with warm-up
Elbow
Tennis Elbow
- Pain on the outer elbow
- Pain gripping, lifting or twisting
Neck & jaw
TMJ Disorder
- Jaw pain, especially chewing
- Clicking or locking of the jaw
Wrist & hand
Trigger Finger
- A finger catching or locking when bent
- A painful click straightening the finger
Wrist & hand
Wrist Pain
- Pain gripping or weight-bearing through the hand
- Swelling or stiffness