Rehabilitation protocols

Rehabilitation determines the result of most orthopaedic operations as much as the surgery itself. The protocols below are provided for patients and for the physiotherapists working with them.

These are guides, not prescriptions. Where a patient has been given individual instructions, those take precedence. Progression is criterion-based — patients advance when they meet the targets in each phase, not when a set number of weeks has passed.

Downloads (not yet available)

Total hip replacement (posterior approach)

[PDF]

Direct anterior hip replacement

[PDF]

Hip resurfacing

[PDF]

Periacetabular osteotomy (PAO)

[PDF]

Total knee replacement

[PDF]

Partial (uni-compartmental) knee replacement

[PDF]

ACL reconstruction

[PDF]

ACL reconstruction — paediatric / physeal-sparing

[PDF]

Meniscal repair

[PDF]

Meniscal debridement

[PDF]

MPFL reconstruction / patellar stabilisation

[PDF]

High tibial or distal femoral osteotomy

[PDF]

Paediatric hip surgery — post-osteotomy

[PDF]

For physiotherapists

Each protocol sets out weight-bearing status, range-of-motion limits, brace requirements, phase-by-phase objectives and the criteria for progression.

If you are treating one of Dr Spelman’s patients and need clarification, or the case is not progressing as expected, please contact the rooms at office@drspelman.com.au . Dr Spelman is happy to discuss individual patients with treating physiotherapists at any stage.