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 beats passive treatment: graded movement, loading, and building capacity produce more durable results than modalities applied to you while you lie still. Recovery is usually measured in what you can do again, not in what a scan shows.
When to see a doctor first
Conditions
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
Frozen shoulder
Adhesive capsulitis — a long, staged condition with a predictable arc.
Learn more →Recovery after shoulder surgery
General expectations, not a protocol.
Learn more →Hip and knee
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 replacement
What the first weeks and months usually involve.
Learn more →Tendon and widespread pain
What a course of therapy usually looks like
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.
- Sessions combine assessment, hands-on work where it helps, and — most importantly — exercise you will continue between visits.
- Frequency is usually weekly or every other week at first, tapering as you take over more of the program.
- What happens between sessions matters more than the sessions. The appointment sets the direction; the days in between do the work.
- Duration varies widely by condition and starting point. Ask for a review point rather than a promised end date.
Goals 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.
After surgery
Getting started
In many US states you can see a physical therapist without a physician referral, though your insurance may still require one. Ask the clinic — they will know how it works locally.
Looking for a condition that is not listed here, or for a child? See every orthopedic condition we cover →
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.