Pre and Post Surgical Care in Victoria BC
CPTBC-Registered Physiotherapists
Direct Billing Available
Locally Owned & Operated
5-Star Google Rating
ICBC & WorkSafeBC Accepted
Recover Stronger and Return to Life Faster After Surgery
Surgery is a significant event, and what happens before and after it shapes your outcome as much as the procedure itself. At South Island Physiotherapy in Victoria BC, our physiotherapy services for pre and post surgical care are built around one goal: helping you arrive at your surgery in the best possible physical condition and recover as fully and efficiently as possible afterward. Our CPTBC-registered physiotherapists work with patients preparing for and recovering from a wide range of orthopedic and soft tissue procedures, providing structured, evidence-based care at every stage of the surgical journey.
Why Victoria BC Patients Trust Us: Credentials and Clinical Standards
Registered Physiotherapists, CPTBC Certified
Every physiotherapist at our clinic holds active registration with the College of Physical Therapists of British Columbia, verifiable through the public CPTBC registrant directory. Your surgical rehabilitation is managed by regulated professionals who exceed the clinical and ethical standards required by BC law.
Clinical Leadership With Advanced Academic Credentials
Co-owner Jason Nenzel holds a Master of Science in Physical Therapy and serves as a Director on the Canadian Physiotherapy Association Board, contributing to national standards in the profession. Co-owner Colin Beattie brings extensive experience guiding patients through complex surgical recoveries. Co-owner Alec Myring is credentialed in intramuscular stimulation and brings strong strength and conditioning knowledge that directly informs how we build post-surgical loading programs. This depth of clinical leadership means your care is shaped by practitioners who understand surgical recovery at a high level.
5-Star Google Rating from 250+ Victoria Patients
Our 5-star Google rating across more than 250 reviews reflects consistent patient outcomes across a wide range of conditions and procedures. Surgical recovery is one of the most consequential rehabilitation journeys a patient undertakes, and our reviews reflect the care and clinical thoroughness we bring to every stage of it.
ICBC and WorkSafeBC Claims Accepted
For patients requiring surgery as a result of a motor vehicle accident or workplace injury, we accept ICBC and WorkSafeBC claims and manage the billing process on your behalf. Navigating a claims process while recovering from surgery adds unnecessary stress. We handle it so you can focus on getting better.
Direct Billing to Extended Health Benefits
We offer direct billing to most major extended health benefit plans. Many Victoria BC patients are unaware that pre-surgical physiotherapy is also covered under their plan, not just post-surgical care. Contact us before your first appointment and we will confirm your coverage so there are no surprises.
Our Pre and Post Surgical Care Services in Victoria BC
Pre-Surgical Physiotherapy
The stronger and more mobile you are going into surgery, the better your post-surgical outcomes tend to be. Pre-surgical physiotherapy, sometimes called prehabilitation, focuses on building strength, improving range of motion, and optimizing the function of the tissues surrounding the surgical site. Patients who complete a structured prehabilitation program in Victoria consistently report faster recovery timelines and better functional outcomes after surgery.
Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
Post-surgical rehab is a structured, progressive program designed to restore function after your procedure. We follow evidence-based rehabilitation protocols that account for tissue healing timelines, surgical technique, and your personal goals. Whether you are recovering from a knee reconstruction, hip replacement, rotator cuff repair, spinal surgery, or another procedure, your program is built around your specific surgical and physical presentation, not a generic protocol.
Manual and Manipulative Therapy
Hands-on manual and manipulative therapy plays an important role in both pre and post surgical care. Before surgery, manual therapy helps reduce pain, improve joint mobility, and address compensatory movement patterns. After surgery, it supports tissue mobility, reduces scar tissue formation, and restores normal joint mechanics as healing progresses.
Progressive Strength and Loading Programs
Returning to full function after surgery requires progressively loading the repaired or reconstructed tissues in a controlled, evidence-based way. We design structured loading programs that advance in line with your tissue healing and functional capacity. This is where the strength and conditioning expertise of our co-owners makes a meaningful difference, particularly for patients returning to sport or physically demanding work.
Intramuscular Stimulation for Post-Surgical Muscle Inhibition
Muscle inhibition following surgery is a well-documented challenge, particularly after knee and hip procedures. Intramuscular stimulation (IMS) can be highly effective in restoring neuromuscular activation in inhibited muscles, accelerating the return of strength and functional control. Our IMS-credentialed physiotherapist incorporates this technique where clinically indicated as part of a comprehensive post-surgical program.
Shockwave Therapy for Surgical Recovery
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) supports tissue remodelling and can be incorporated into post-surgical care where chronic tendon or soft tissue pathology contributed to the need for surgery in the first place. We use shockwave therapy as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation approach when clinically appropriate.
Kinesiology and Active Rehabilitation
For patients who need extended rehabilitation beyond the physiotherapy phase, our kinesiology team provides active rehabilitation programs that bridge the gap between clinical physiotherapy and return to full independent function. This integrated approach is a genuine advantage of our multi-disciplinary clinic model.
Surgical Procedures We Commonly Treat
We provide pre and post surgical care for a wide range of procedures, including ACL reconstruction and other knee ligament surgeries, total knee and hip replacement, rotator cuff repair and shoulder reconstruction, spinal surgery including discectomy, laminectomy, and spinal fusion, achilles tendon repair, ankle ligament reconstruction, elbow and wrist surgery, carpal tunnel release, and labral repair (hip and shoulder). If your procedure is not listed here, contact us to discuss your situation. We work with patients recovering from a broad range of surgical interventions.
Why Patients Choose South Island Physio for Surgical Rehab
Surgical recovery is not a passive process
The patients who recover best are the ones who receive structured, progressive, clinically supervised care from the beginning, not the ones who wait and see. At South Island Physiotherapy, our approach to surgical rehab is built on three principles:
- Prehabilitation matters as much as rehabilitation. We treat the pre-surgical phase with the same clinical rigour as the recovery phase. The stronger and more mobile you are going into surgery, the better your outcome coming out.
- Every surgical patient is different. You have a different baseline, a different procedure, and different goals. Your program reflects all three, not a generic post-operative protocol pulled from a filing cabinet.
- Passive care does not produce durable outcomes. Exercise and progressive loading are central to every plan we build. We move patients forward, not just through a symptom list.
We also communicate. If your surgeon has provided post-operative protocols or restrictions, we work within them precisely. If questions arise during your recovery that require surgical input, we support that communication. Your care does not exist in a silo at our clinic.
Our integrated clinic model means that where kinesiology, registered massage therapy, or chiropractic care would support your surgical recovery, those disciplines are available under the same roof. For patients with complex presentations or extended recovery timelines, that integration makes a real difference.
The South Island Physiotherapy Surgical Care Process
Book Your Initial Assessment
Book online at southislandphysio.janeapp.com or call us at (778) 433-4900. Let us know at the time of booking whether you are preparing for an upcoming surgery or have already had your procedure, and which joint or area is involved. This helps us allocate the right appointment length and ensure the right physiotherapist is available for your initial assessment.
Comprehensive Assessment
Your initial assessment covers your current physical status, surgical details or upcoming procedure, surgeon’s protocols and restrictions, and your personal recovery goals. We assess strength, range of motion, movement quality, and any contributing factors that will affect your program design. You leave this appointment with a clear plan, not a list of generic exercises.
Prehabilitation or Early Post-Surgical Phase
For pre-surgical patients, this phase focuses on building strength, mobility, and tissue quality to achieve the best possible surgical outcome. For post-surgical patients, the early phase prioritizes protecting the surgical repair, managing swelling and pain, and restoring basic function within the parameters set by your surgeon.
Progressive Rehabilitation and Loading
As healing progresses, your program advances. We progressively load the repaired tissues, rebuild strength and neuromuscular control, and work toward the functional goals you set at your initial assessment. Each session reassesses your status and adjusts the program accordingly. We do not run static protocols on dynamic patients.
Return to Function and Discharge Planning
Before discharge, we confirm that your functional goals have been met, review your long-term home program, and identify any ongoing risk factors to monitor. Where a return to sport or physically demanding work is the goal, we use objective testing to confirm readiness before signing off. You leave with the knowledge and capacity to maintain your recovery independently.
Serving Victoria BC and Surrounding Communities
Our surgical rehabilitation clinic serves patients across Greater Victoria BC, with a primary patient base in Saanich. We regularly see patients from Oak Bay, Esquimalt, Langford, Colwood, Cordova Bay, and Central Saanich. Many patients travel to us from across the region specifically for our structured pre and post surgical care programs.
Communities we serve:
- Saanich
- Oak Bay
- Esquimalt
- Langford
- Colwood
- Cordova Bay
- Central Saanich
- View Royal
- Sidney
- Metchosin
FAQs: Pre and Post Surgical Care in Victoria BC
What is pre-surgical physiotherapy and do I actually need it?
Pre-surgical physiotherapy, or prehabilitation, prepares your body for surgery by improving the strength, mobility, and function of the tissues surrounding the surgical site. The evidence is clear: patients who are stronger and more mobile going into surgery recover faster and achieve better functional outcomes afterward. It is not just useful, it is one of the highest-value things you can do in the weeks before your procedure. Even a short prehabilitation program of 4 to 6 weeks can make a measurable difference.
When should I start physiotherapy after surgery?
The timing depends on your specific surgery and your surgeon’s post-operative protocols. For many procedures, physiotherapy begins within days of surgery. For others, a short period of rest and protection is required first. At South Island Physiotherapy, we work within your surgeon’s guidelines precisely and will coordinate with your surgical team if any questions arise about timing or restrictions. The short answer is: as soon as your surgeon clears you, contact us.
How much does post-surgical physiotherapy cost in Victoria BC?
An initial complex physiotherapy assessment (60 minutes, includes shockwave where indicated) is $200 at South Island Physiotherapy. Return patient assessments are $126 and follow-up appointments range from $126 to $175 depending on session length. Most extended health benefit plans cover physiotherapy, and we offer direct billing to the majority of major providers. ICBC and WorkSafeBC claims are also accepted for surgical cases resulting from motor vehicle accidents or workplace injuries. Contact us to confirm your coverage before your first appointment.
Do I need a referral from my surgeon to start physiotherapy?
No referral is required to book a physiotherapy appointment in BC. You can book directly online at southislandphysio.janeapp.com or call us at (778) 433-4900. If your surgeon has provided post-operative protocols or restrictions, bring those to your first appointment and we will build your program around them. If your extended health plan requires a physician referral for reimbursement, our team can help you navigate that.
How long does post-surgical rehabilitation take?
Recovery timelines vary significantly depending on the procedure, the patient’s pre-surgical baseline, and their goals. A straightforward arthroscopic procedure may require 6 to 12 weeks of rehabilitation. A total joint replacement or ACL reconstruction typically involves 6 to 12 months of structured recovery. We set realistic timelines based on your specific situation at your initial assessment and reassess progress regularly throughout your program.
Can you work with my surgeon’s post-operative protocols?
Yes. We follow your surgeon’s post-operative protocols precisely and treat them as the foundation of your rehabilitation program. If your surgeon provides weight-bearing restrictions, range of motion limits, or specific exercise progressions, we work within those parameters at every stage. If questions arise during your recovery that require surgical input, we support communication with your surgical team.
Surgical Rehabilitation Pricing in Victoria BC
Our pricing is transparent and consistent. Every fee is published and there are no hidden charges.
Initial Assessment Options:
- Initial acute assessment, 45 minutes (includes shockwave where indicated): $135
- Initial complex assessment, 60 minutes (includes shockwave where indicated): $200
Follow-Up Appointments:
- Return patient assessment, 45 minutes (includes shockwave): $126
- Follow-up, 30 minutes (includes shockwave): $126
- Follow-up, 45 minutes (includes shockwave): $175
Most extended health plans in Victoria BC cover physiotherapy for surgical rehabilitation. We direct bill to the majority of major providers. ICBC and WorkSafeBC claims are accepted for surgical cases arising from motor vehicle accidents or workplace injuries. Contact us before your first appointment to confirm your coverage.
to Start Your Surgical Rehabilitation?
Whether you are preparing for an upcoming procedure or have already had your surgery, the sooner you begin a structured pre or post surgical physio program, the better your outcome will be. Our CPTBC-registered physiotherapists in Victoria BC have the clinical depth to build a plan that matches your specific surgery, your baseline, and your goals. Book your pre or post surgical care assessment at South Island Physiotherapy and take the next step toward a full, durable recovery.
