Struggling to Move After Orthopaedic Surgery?

Here are some RN led tips to get you moving safely, confidently, and with less pain.

Recovering from orthopedic surgery is one of the most physically and emotionally demanding experiences a person can go through. Whether it’s a knee replacement, hip surgery, rotator cuff repair, or spinal procedure, the early days of recovery often feel stiff, painful, and overwhelming.

If you’re struggling to move after surgery, you’re not “behind.” You’re healing, and healing takes time, structure, and support.

As an RN who has provided post‑operative care here for over a decade, I see the same patterns every day: people trying to push too hard, people afraid to move at all, and people who simply don’t know what’s normal.

I'm here to change that and help you move comfortably and confidently after surgery with evidence-based strategies.

1. Start With Gentle, Safe Movements

     Small movements matter more than you think.  I cannot tell you how many times I have heard, "they aren't doing anything" during my nursing career.  

According to TSAOG Orthopaedics & Spine, early gentle motion helps reduce stiffness, improve circulation, and support healing.

These movements may include:

• Ankle pumps

• Heel slides

• Quad squeezes

• Gentle range of motion exercises recommended by your PT

These tiny motions help prevent blood clots, reduce swelling, and keep the joint from stiffening, especially in the first 1–3 weeks of recovery.

If it feels tight or uncomfortable, that’s normal. If it feels sharp or wrong, stop.

2. Elevate and Ice 

Swelling is one of the biggest barriers to movement after orthopedic surgery.

Evidence‑based guidelines recommend elevating the limb above heart level and icing for 15–20 minutes at a time to reduce inflammation and pain.

RN tip: Place a pillow under your calf, not directly under your knee, to avoid flexion contractures.

This small adjustment protects your joint and improves long term mobility.

3. Use Assistive Devices

Walkers, canes, and crutches are not signs of weakness;  they are tools for healing.

Using them correctly:

• Protects your surgical site

• Prevents falls

• Reduces strain on healing tissues

• Supports proper gait mechanics

4. Physical Therapy is Necessary for Recovery

Every credible orthopedic source agrees that physical therapy is the #1 predictor of long‑term mobility success.

• Reduces scar tissue

• Prevents stiffness

• Improves circulation

• Builds strength around the joint

Skipping PT,  or doing it inconsistently,  is one of the fastest ways to slow your recovery.

Even on the days you don’t feel like it, showing up matters.

5. Nourish Your Body So It Can Heal

 Orthopedic recovery experts recommend focusing on:

• Protein (muscle + tissue repair)

• Vitamin C (collagen production)

• Zinc (wound healing)

• Omega‑3s (inflammation control)

Nutrition is one of the most overlooked parts of orthopedic recovery, but it’s one of the most powerful.  It all starts with what is on your fork.

Not everyone responds the same nutritionally; please check with your provider before changing your diet.

6. The Internet is a Tool, However...

Every orthopedic surgery is different. Every surgeon has a different protocol. Every body heals at a different pace.

Most literature emphasizes that recovery timelines vary widely based on age, health, and procedure type.

RN TIP:

If something feels sharp, wrong, or alarming, stop and call your provider.

If something feels tight, stiff, or uncomfortable, that’s often normal.

7. Know the Red Flags

• Fever over 101°F

• Sudden, excessive increase in swelling or redness (swelling and redness does increase with movement at first and lessens over time)

• Excessive drainage from the incision

• Severe or worsening pain

• Shortness of breath

• Inability to move the joint

These symptoms may indicate infection, blood clots, or other complications.  Early intervention is critical. 

Call your surgeon immediately if you experience any of the above.

If you are in the Palm Coast/Flagler area and need RN Led Post-Op support, you don't have to recover alone. 

Serenity Concierge, LLC provides:

• RN‑led post‑operative wound care (drains, incisions, catheters)

• Mobility support

• Safety and Wellness checks

• Medication reminders

• Pain‑reducing positioning

• Errand running
  
  

• Education for you and your family

  If you want compassionate, clinical support during your recovery, reach out anytime. Your healing deserves expertise — and heart.
  
  This is only an educational post and is not a substitute for clinical diagnosis or treatment. Always contact your surgeon.