Joint replacement surgery can be the answer to a severely compromised joint. Replacing a worn hip, knee, or shoulder can restore mobility and dramatically reduce pain. But there’s more to this process than just the surgery. Osteopathy can support you at every stage: preventing early deterioration, helping you manage while waiting for surgery, and supporting recovery once the new joint is in place.
Can Osteopathy Help You Avoid Surgery?
Not everyone with osteoarthritis will require a joint replacement. In many cases, the pain and stiffness are due not only to the joint itself, but also to the muscles, ligaments, and surrounding tissues that adapt to protect the area.
Osteopathic treatment focuses on improving movement in these structures, reducing pressure on the joint, and maximising function. By keeping you moving comfortably and as strong as possible, osteopathy may reduce the speed of joint deterioration and delay the point where surgery becomes necessary. Combined with exercise, weight management, and lifestyle advice, this approach can make a real difference in your long-term outlook. Waiting times for a total hip replacement on the NHS are currently around 6 months.
Managing Pain and Mobility While Waiting
For many people, surgery remains the right choice—but waiting lists are long. During this time, everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs, or getting out of a chair can become increasingly difficult. We want to avoid continued irritation where possible as it can encourage the development of chronic pain, which would make recovery more complicated.
Osteopaths use hands-on techniques to ease tight muscles, improve circulation, and support the joints that are taking extra strain. For example, someone with knee arthritis might overuse their hip or ankle, leading to secondary aches. Addressing these compensations can make a big difference to comfort and mobility, allowing you to stay independent for longer.
The Role of Prehabilitation
Research shows that people who go into surgery fitter and stronger often come out with better results. “Prehab” means building strength, mobility, and confidence before the operation.
Your osteopath can assess your current movement and design a plan to get you into the best shape possible for surgery. This may include exercises to strengthen supporting muscles, balance training, or stretches to improve flexibility. We can also help you build good movement habits so that once your new joint is in place, you’re not held back by old patterns of compensation.
Osteopathy in Recovery
After surgery, rehabilitation is key. While physiotherapy usually forms the foundation of your recovery plan, osteopathy can complement it by looking at the bigger picture. This can be especially helpful once you’re discharged from physio. We can treat areas that have been overworked during your recovery—such as the lower back after a hip replacement or the opposite leg after a knee replacement. By restoring balance throughout the body, we help your new joint integrate smoothly into daily life.
Osteopaths can also provide gentle support as scar tissue heals, and help ensure your gait or posture doesn’t fall into unhelpful patterns. This holistic approach can speed up recovery and reduce the risk of ongoing pain.
