Adult therapy
Adult Orthopedic Therapy
Expert-reviewed guidance on orthopedic conditions, what a course of therapy usually involves, and how to find the right physical therapist.
- Expert Reviewed
- Evidence Based
- Patient Focused
Orthopedic physical therapy treats the muscles, joints, tendons, and nerves that let you move — after an injury, after surgery, or when pain has settled in without an obvious cause. The single most useful thing to know is that for most musculoskeletal problems, active treatment comes first: clinical guidelines put exercise and physical activity at the center of care, with hands-on and passive treatments used only alongside them. Recovery is usually measured in what you can do again, not in what a scan shows.1
Orthopedic red flags: when to see a doctor before therapy
Orthopedic conditions treated in adults: back, shoulder, hip, knee
Back and neck
Low back pain
The primary page for back pain, including what disc changes do and don’t explain.
Learn more →Sciatica
Leg pain following a nerve root — a distinct presentation from back pain alone.
Learn more →Neck pain
Including pain that refers into the shoulder or arm.
Learn more →Recovery after back surgery
What recovery generally involves — your surgeon’s protocol always comes first.
Learn more →Shoulder
Rotator cuff pain and tears
Cuff pain and tears, night pain, and why exercise usually comes before surgery.
Learn more →Frozen shoulder
Adhesive capsulitis — a long, staged condition, and what helps at each stage.
Learn more →Recovery after shoulder surgery
General expectations, not a protocol.
Learn more →Hip and knee
Knee osteoarthritis
Exercise, physical therapy and the other treatments that come before a knee replacement.
Learn more →Knee replacement
Recovery after knee replacement surgery.
Learn more →ACL reconstruction
A different population and a different goal: returning to cutting and pivoting sport.
Learn more →Hip osteoarthritis
Groin pain and stiffness, and the exercise that comes before any surgery.
Learn more →Hip replacement
What the first weeks and months usually involve.
Learn more →Hand and wrist
Foot and ankle
Tendon and widespread pain
What to expect from orthopedic physical therapy for adults
An assessment first — history, how the problem behaves, what movement provokes and eases it, and what you need to get back to. From there a plan built around your goals, not a generic protocol.1
- Sessions combine assessment, hands-on work where it helps, and — most importantly — exercise you will continue between visits.1
- Frequency is agreed at the start and tapers as you take over more of the program.
- What happens between sessions matters. The appointment sets the direction; the exercise you keep doing in the days in between carries it forward.
- Duration varies widely by condition and starting point. Ask for a review point rather than a promised end date.
Setting physical therapy goals: examples worth asking for
Good goals describe your life, not your body.
- Walk to the store and back without stopping
- Return to driving
- Lift a grandchild
- Sleep through the night
“Reduce pain,” “improve range of motion,” and “increase strength” are measurements, not goals. They may improve on the way, but they are not what you came for.
Rehab after orthopedic surgery: your surgeon’s protocol comes first
Can you see a physical therapist without a referral?
In every US state you can see a physical therapist without a physician referral, though some states limit the type or length of treatment without one and your insurance may still require one. Ask the clinic — they will know how it works locally.4
Looking for a condition that is not listed here, or for a child? See every orthopedic condition we cover →
Find a physical therapy clinic near you
Enter your ZIP code. What the badge means.
Sources
- Lin I, Wiles L, Waller R, et al. What does best practice care for musculoskeletal pain look like? Eleven consistent recommendations from high-quality clinical practice guidelines: systematic review. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2020;54(2):79–86. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2018-099878 (PMID 30826805).
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Across 11 high-quality guidelines for back, neck, hip, knee and shoulder pain: patient-centered care with a physical examination, imaging used selectively, physical activity and exercise, and “manual therapy only as an adjunct to other treatments.” - MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine. Low back pain – acute. Checked October 6, 2026.
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Contact a provider right away for back pain with loss of control over urine or stool, weakness or numbness in the buttocks, thigh, leg or pelvis, unexplained fever, a history of cancer, unintended weight loss, severe pain after a fall or blow, or pain that wakes you at night. - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Heart Attack Symptoms, Risk, and Recovery. Symptoms include chest discomfort, light-headedness, a cold sweat, shortness of breath, and pain in the jaw, neck, back, arms or shoulders; “Women are more likely to have” tiredness and nausea or vomiting; call 9-1-1 immediately. Checked October 6, 2026.
- ChoosePT, American Physical Therapy Association. Physician Referral Not Needed: You Can See a Physical Therapist First. Checked October 6, 2026.
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“In every U.S. state and the District of Columbia, you can go straight to a physical therapist without a physician’s referral”; certain insurance plans may still require one, and some states limit the duration or type of treatment without it.
Medical disclaimer. This page is for general educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider about your individual situation.