What does an orthopedic physiotherapist do?

What is an Orthopedic Physiotherapist?

An orthopedic physiotherapist, also known as a musculoskeletal physiotherapist, helps people with problems affecting their bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. They assess, diagnose, and treat injuries or conditions that make moving difficult or painful.

Their main focus is on helping people recover after an injury or surgery, as well as managing long-term conditions that affect movement. By using techniques for pain relief, movement training, and strength building, they support patients in getting back to daily activities, work, or sports, and in staying active and independent as they get older.

What does an Orthopedic Physiotherapist do?

Duties and Responsibilities
Orthopedic physiotherapists have a variety of duties and responsibilities centered on helping patients recover from injuries, surgeries, or chronic conditions that affect movement. Their work combines assessment, treatment, and patient education to improve overall mobility and quality of life.

• Assessing Patients: Orthopedic physiotherapists evaluate patients through physical exams, medical history, and movement tests to identify the source of pain, weakness, or limited mobility.
• Creating Treatment Plans: They design individualized treatment programs that may include exercises, manual therapy, and other techniques tailored to each patient’s condition and goals.
• Pain Management: Orthopedic physiotherapists use methods such as joint mobilization, stretching, or therapeutic modalities like heat, cold, or electrical stimulation to reduce pain and discomfort.
• Rehabilitation After Surgery or Injury: They guide patients through structured rehab programs following surgeries (like joint replacements) or injuries (like fractures or sprains) to restore movement and strength safely.
• Improving Strength and Mobility: By teaching exercises and movement techniques, they help patients regain muscle strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination.
• Educating Patients: Orthopedic physiotherapists provide advice on posture, ergonomics, and safe movement strategies to prevent future injuries and support long-term health.
• Collaborating with Healthcare Teams: They often work with doctors, surgeons, and other healthcare professionals to ensure patients receive comprehensive and effective care.

Different Types of Orthopedic Physiotherapists
While all orthopedic physiotherapists specialize in the musculoskeletal system, many develop further expertise in specific patient groups, conditions, or treatment settings:

• Sports Orthopedic Physiotherapists specialize in sports-related injuries (e.g., ACL tears, rotator cuff injuries, shin splints, dislocations), athletic performance recovery, and return-to-play programs.
• Post-Surgical Orthopedic Physiotherapists focus on rehabilitation after orthopedic surgeries such as joint replacements, ligament reconstructions, or fracture repairs.
• Pediatric Orthopedic Physiotherapists treat musculoskeletal conditions in children, such as developmental disorders, fractures, or sports injuries in young athletes.
• Geriatric Orthopedic Physiotherapists work with older adults to manage age-related musculoskeletal issues like arthritis, osteoporosis, tendonitis, and mobility decline.
• Spinal Orthopedic Physiotherapists specialize in conditions of the neck and back, including disc injuries, scoliosis, sciatica, and chronic spinal pain.
• Hand Physiotherapists specialize in rehabilitation of hand, wrist, and forearm injuries or post-operative conditions.
• Orthopedic Manual Physiotherapists specialize in the assessment and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions using hands-on techniques. They focus on restoring movement, reducing pain, and improving function through manual therapy, exercise, and education. These therapists employ techniques like joint mobilization and manipulation, soft tissue massage, and exercise prescription to address a variety of orthopedic issues.
• Occupational/Industrial Orthopedic Physiotherapists focus on injuries from repetitive strain, workplace accidents, or physically demanding jobs, with an emphasis on safe return to work.
• Trauma Orthopedic Physiotherapists provide rehabilitation after severe musculoskeletal injuries from accidents or high-impact events.

These aren’t formal ‘titles’ in all countries, but they represent common areas of sub-specialization within orthopedic physiotherapy.

What is the workplace of an Orthopedic Physiotherapist like?

Orthopedic physiotherapists are employed in a variety of healthcare, sports, and rehabilitation settings, including:

• Hospitals – Acute care, post-surgical wards, trauma units, and outpatient rehabilitation clinics
• Private Physiotherapy Clinics – Providing assessment, treatment, and long-term management of musculoskeletal conditions
• Sports Medicine Clinics – Working with athletes on injury recovery, prevention, and performance enhancement
• Orthopedic Specialty Clinics – Collaborating closely with orthopedic surgeons for pre- and post-operative care
• Rehabilitation Centers – Supporting patients recovering from severe injuries, complex fractures, or joint replacements
• Community Health Centers – Offering accessible physiotherapy services to local populations
• Workplace/Industrial Health Programs – Managing occupational injuries and implementing ergonomic solutions
• Long-Term Care Facilities – Helping older adults maintain mobility, manage arthritis, and prevent falls
• Educational Institutions – Providing physiotherapy services for student-athletes or teaching in physiotherapy programs
• Military and Emergency Services – Assisting personnel with injury rehabilitation and readiness for duty

The workplace of an orthopedic physiotherapist can look a little different depending on where they work. In hospitals, they may spend time in treatment rooms, rehab gyms, or areas where patients recover after surgery. In private clinics or sports medicine centers, the space often includes open areas with exercise equipment like resistance machines, therapy bands, balance tools, and treatment tables. At rehabilitation centers, there’s usually a mix of private rooms for therapy and bigger spaces designed for practicing movement and daily activities.

The environment is usually busy and active. Patients might be exercising under the therapist’s guidance, while others receive hands-on treatments like stretching or joint work. Some areas are quiet and private for one-on-one care, while others are full of energy with many patients working at the same time. Orthopedic physiotherapists also spend part of their day doing paperwork, tracking patient progress, and meeting with doctors or other healthcare providers to make sure their patients get the best care.