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Conditions We Treat  /  Knee & Hip Replacement Rehab

After Surgery

Knee and Hip Replacement Rehab in Bakersfield

The surgery replaces the joint. Physical therapy is what gets you walking, bending and back to your life. You choose where you do your rehab, and it can be close to home.

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Physical therapy is a key part of recovering from a knee or hip replacement. It restores motion, rebuilds the strength you lost before and after surgery, and gets you walking without a limp. At ARI Physical Therapy in Bakersfield, every visit is one-on-one with a licensed physical therapist, and we follow your surgeon's instructions and precautions.

Does this sound like you?

✓You have a knee or hip replacement scheduled, or just had one
✓Your knee is still stiff and won't fully bend or straighten
✓You are still using a walker or cane and want to walk on your own
✓Stairs, getting out of a chair or into the car are still hard
✓You finished home health visits and want to keep improving
✓Your recovery has stalled and you are not where you hoped to be

What recovery usually looks like

Most people start physical therapy within days of surgery, first in the hospital or at home, then in an outpatient clinic like ARI. Outpatient rehab often continues for several weeks, and many people keep improving for months afterward. Everyone recovers at a different pace, depending on how you were moving before surgery, your health and the type of surgery.

  • After a knee replacement, the early focus is getting the knee to bend and straighten, controlling swelling, and walking with less support.
  • After a hip replacement, the focus is walking without a limp and building hip strength, while following any movement precautions your surgeon gives you.

Why it matters

The first weeks are when stiffness is easiest to prevent. Regular, guided exercise helps you reach the motion and strength you need for everyday tasks, and doing your home exercises between visits makes a real difference. If you haven't had surgery yet, getting stronger beforehand can help too. See prehab before surgery.

What treatment at ARI looks like

1
A one-on-one evaluation

Your first visit takes about 45 to 60 minutes. We review your surgeon's protocol and precautions, measure your motion, strength, swelling and walking, and set goals together.

2
Motion, strength and walking

Hands-on treatment and exercises to improve how far the joint moves, progressive strengthening, and walking practice as you move from a walker to a cane to walking on your own.

3
Back to daily life

Practice with stairs, getting in and out of chairs and the car, and the activities you had surgery for, plus a home program to keep improving after your visits end.

No referral needed to start. In California, you can see a physical therapist directly for up to 12 visits or 45 days, whichever comes first. Some insurance plans still require a referral for coverage; call us at (661) 282-8584 and we'll help you check.

When to see a doctor first

Call your surgeon or get medical care promptly if you have:

  • Pain, swelling or warmth in your calf, which needs urgent attention to rule out a blood clot
  • Chest pain or sudden shortness of breath: call 911
  • Fever, or redness, drainage or opening at the incision
  • A sudden increase in pain, a new inability to put weight on the leg, or a feeling that the hip has popped out

Why patients choose ARI

Care at ARI is always one-on-one and in person with a licensed physical therapist at our Bakersfield clinic: 8200 Stockdale Hwy, Suite B2, in the Town & Country Village center next to Trader Joe's. Our clinic director, Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, is a board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist. We accept most private insurance plans and Medicare, and we have staff who speak Spanish and Hindi.

Joint replacement rehab FAQs

It depends on your surgery and your surgeon's plan. Many people start outpatient therapy within the first week or two, sometimes after a short period of home health care. Bring your surgeon's instructions and we'll follow them.
Outpatient rehab often lasts several weeks, and many people keep improving for months after surgery. Your therapist will track your progress and adjust the plan with you.
Yes. You can choose an outpatient clinic that is convenient for you. If your surgeon or insurance requires a referral or prescription, we'll help you get what's needed.
Medicare Part B covers outpatient physical therapy when it is medically necessary, including rehab after a knee or hip replacement. We accept Medicare and most private insurance plans; call us at (661) 282-8584 and we'll help you check.

Common questions

Ready to feel better?

Talk to a licensed physical therapist at ARI, one-on-one. Request an evaluation and we'll get back to you, usually within one business day.

Request an EvaluationCall (661) 282-8584

Sources

  1. Physical Therapist Management of Total Knee Arthroplasty. Physical Therapy journal (APTA clinical practice guideline), 2020.
  2. Total Knee Replacement. OrthoInfo, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
  3. Total Hip Replacement. OrthoInfo, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

This page is general information, not a diagnosis. If you have symptoms, a licensed clinician should evaluate you.

Clinically reviewed by Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist · Reviewed September 2026