The timing for starting physical therapy after a fracture depends on the type and location of the break, whether you had surgery, and your healing progress. Generally, therapy begins as soon as your doctor removes your cast or brace and clears you for movement, typically 4-8 weeks after the injury for most fractures. However, some gentle exercises may start earlier while you’re still immobilized to maintain circulation and prevent muscle loss in surrounding areas. For surgical fractures with hardware stabilization, therapy often begins sooner than non-surgical fractures. Your orthopedic doctor monitors bone healing through X-rays and provides clearance for weight-bearing and active movement. Starting therapy too early risks re-injury, while waiting too long allows stiffness and weakness to worsen, making recovery harder. We coordinate directly with your physician to ensure therapy starts at the optimal time for your specific fracture. Once cleared, beginning therapy promptly prevents long-term complications like permanent stiffness, chronic pain, or functional limitations.

Your first session begins with a comprehensive evaluation where your physical therapist assesses your fracture history, current pain levels, range of motion, strength, and functional limitations. We’ll ask about your daily activities, goals, and any concerns you have about recovery. The therapist examines the healed fracture site, checks for swelling or tenderness, and measures how much you can currently move the affected area compared to your uninjured side. We’ll test your strength and observe how you walk or use the injured limb. Based on this assessment, we create your personalized treatment plan with specific goals and a timeline for recovery. During this first visit, we typically begin gentle exercises to start restoring mobility, teach you proper movement techniques to protect the healing bone, and provide exercises to do between sessions. We also educate you about what to expect during recovery, warning signs to watch for, and how to progress safely without risking re-injury.

Some discomfort during post-fracture physical therapy is normal and expected, but therapy should never cause sharp or severe pain. You’ll likely experience stretching sensations, muscle soreness, and mild aching as we work to restore movement in stiff joints and strengthen weakened muscles. This discomfort is different from the acute pain of injury and typically feels like the soreness you’d experience after exercise. Your therapist carefully monitors your pain levels and adjusts treatment intensity accordingly. We differentiate between productive discomfort that indicates we’re making progress and harmful pain that signals we’re pushing too hard or too fast. You should feel challenged but not overwhelmed. After sessions, some increased soreness for 24-48 hours is normal as your body responds to the work. We teach you the difference between expected post-therapy soreness and warning signs that indicate a problem. Pain management techniques including ice, proper pacing, and gentle movement between sessions help minimize discomfort while maximizing recovery progress.

Recovery time varies significantly based on fracture location, severity, age, overall health, and how consistently you participate in therapy. Simple fractures like wrists or ankles typically require 6-12 weeks of physical therapy to regain full function. More complex fractures like hips, femurs, or those requiring surgery often need 3-6 months of rehabilitation. Weight-bearing bones generally take longer to fully recover than non-weight-bearing fractures. Older adults typically need more time than younger patients due to slower bone healing and pre-existing conditions. You’ll notice gradual improvements throughout therapy with significant gains in the first 2-3 months, though subtle improvements may continue for up to a year after injury. Most patients regain enough function to return to normal daily activities within 2-4 months, but returning to high-impact sports or demanding physical work may take longer. Your therapist tracks your progress, adjusts the treatment plan as you improve, and provides realistic timelines based on your specific situation and goals.

Yes, physical therapy is essential for preventing permanent stiffness and loss of motion after a fracture. When a bone is immobilized in a cast or brace, surrounding joints become stiff, muscles weaken, and scar tissue forms. Without proper rehabilitation, this stiffness can become permanent, leaving you with reduced range of motion even after the bone fully heals. Physical therapy uses specific stretching techniques, joint mobilization, and progressive exercises to restore normal movement before stiffness becomes permanent. The key is starting therapy promptly after your doctor clears you for movement and maintaining consistent participation throughout recovery. Early intervention during the critical healing window of 6-12 weeks after cast removal yields the best results. Patients who delay or skip physical therapy often develop chronic stiffness, compensatory movement patterns, and ongoing functional limitations that are much harder to correct months or years later. Consistent therapy ensures you regain as close to normal motion as possible, preventing long-term disability from your fracture.

Yes, most insurance plans including Medicare and private insurers cover at-home physical therapy after a fracture when it’s medically necessary and ordered by your physician. Medicare Part B covers home health physical therapy when you meet homebound criteria or when home therapy is more appropriate than outpatient clinic visits due to mobility limitations, transportation difficulties, or medical complexity. Private insurance coverage varies by plan but typically includes home-based therapy for fracture recovery, especially in the early stages when travel is difficult or painful. Coverage generally requires a physician referral, documentation of medical necessity, and regular progress updates showing you’re benefiting from treatment. We work with all major insurance carriers and handle the authorization and billing process, verifying your coverage before beginning treatment and explaining any potential out-of-pocket costs. Our experience with insurance requirements ensures you receive the fracture rehabilitation you need without surprise bills or denied claims. We’re committed to making quality therapy accessible and affordable during your recovery.

Scheduling is straightforward. Contact us as soon as your doctor removes your cast or clears you for physical therapy. We’ll discuss your fracture type, current limitations, and recovery goals. You’ll need a physician order for therapy, which we can help coordinate with your orthopedic doctor if you don’t have one yet. Most initial evaluations can be scheduled within 24-48 hours of your call. During your first visit, our physical therapist performs a complete assessment of your fracture recovery, creates your personalized treatment plan, and begins exercises immediately. We handle all insurance verification and prior authorization requirements, so you don’t need to worry about paperwork while recovering. Our therapists visit you at home 2-3 times per week initially, adjusting frequency as you progress. We serve patients throughout Lee, Collier, Charlotte, and Sarasota counties in Southwest Florida. Don’t let your fracture lead to permanent stiffness or weakness. Contact us today to start your recovery with convenient, expert at-home physical therapy.